I thought about what Marcel said as I got dressed, pulling on my underwear and stockings, before fastening my skirt. He made it sound very simple. The only reservation I had was not being able to help Papa in the shop. I countered this concern with the knowledge he had managed all the time I was here in Brittany, so perhaps it wouldn’t matter so much if I worked elsewhere.
‘Is it really worth going to all the trouble of getting me a job at the Ritz? I’m sure I could be more effective doing something else.’
Marcel stubbed out the cigarette and pulled me back onto the bed, my head in his lap as I looked up at him. He kissed me. ‘I’m sure you could be effective elsewhere but this is more important than you realise and doesn’t come without its dangers.’
‘Everything is dangerous, it’s just that some things are more dangerous than others.’
‘I won’t see you again, will I?’ I suddenly felt vulnerable and frightened as the reality of what lay ahead appeared crystal clear.
‘Don’t think like that,’ said Marcel, moving closer to me. ‘I can’t say anything, but we will see each other again.’ His breath was warm on the nape of my neck. ‘Just trust me.’
I did trust him. I really did, but I just couldn’t see how it was going to be possible. The walk back through the forest was sombre. We held hands tightly all the way, savouring the last moments with each other. When we reached the edge of the farm, I kissed him hard and long, and clung on to him until he was forced to remove my arms from around his neck.
‘Please be careful,’ I said, somehow managing to hold back the tears.
‘I’m always careful,’ he replied. ‘You must be the same for me.’
I nodded. ‘Always.’
Chapter 18
Darcie
‘It seems there is some confusion and some sort of secrecy about Nathalie Leroux,’ said Matt. ‘Her father, Théodore Leroux, was a tailor. He owned a shop in Paris. I’ve got the address here.’ He showed his phone to Darcie. ‘Myles texted it over.’
‘That must be where Nathalie got her talent for design from,’ said Darcie. ‘I wonder if she was ever a fashion designer then or whether she just did this as a hobby.’
‘I don’t know, but we can go to the shop and see if the family still own it,’ said Matt.
‘Oh, could we? That would be amazing. They might know more about Nathalie’s connection to the Ritz.’
‘That’s if she ever told anyone, or if the family still own the shop,’ said Matt.
Darcie knew he was erring on the side of caution and she should, too. She shouldn’t be getting carried away. She was talking about something that happened nearly eighty years ago. ‘Do you think Nathalie had anything to do with the Resistance?’ she asked. ‘I mean it was during the war when the city would have been crawling with Germans.’
‘Let’s take one step at a time,’ said Matt. ‘We’ll go tomorrow and see what we can find out. Oh, there is one other thing.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Might be nothing, but apparently Padgett has political aspirations. Myles didn’t seem that impressed by Padgett. I guess they’ve come across each other in the past.’
Darcie gave a shrug. ‘I can’t say I particularly warmed to him myself.’
The evening was mild when they left the restaurant and they strolled back towards Darcie’s accommodation.
‘I’ve had a really nice evening,’ said Matt.
‘Me too,’ replied Darcie. She was aware they were walking very close to each other, their shoulders almost touching. In a way, she wished it was a cold evening and she could have snuggled up to him for warmth.
‘Do you want to meet tomorrow afternoon and visit the address?’ asked Matt.
‘Do you really need to ask me that?’ Darcie grinned at him.
‘Just checking.’ Matt gave her shoulder a gentle nudge with his own. ‘What time and where shall we meet?’
‘I could wait for you after you’ve finished at tomorrow’s show.’
‘Sounds good to me.’
