Papa shook his head and let out a sigh. ‘I don’t believe we would have been able to change his mind, and arguing with him could have driven him away sooner, maybe when his plan wasn’t fully in place or when the people he was going to weren’t ready for him. That could have put him in more danger.’
‘No. You’re wrong,’ said Maman. ‘If I’d spoken to him, he would have stayed for me. Besides, you talk like you agree with what he’s done.’
‘It’s not so much that, but I admire him for having principles and wanting to do something for his country,’ said Papa.
‘What use to his country is he when he is arrested by the Gestapo … or worse.’ With that, Maman rushed from the room.
I went to follow her, but Papa put a hand on my arm. ‘Leave your mother for now. In time she will come to terms with what he’s done.’
‘I asked him not to go,’ I said. ‘But you know what Edgar is like. He’s stubborn. He made me promise not to tell a soul.’
‘Then you have done the right thing by your brother and kept your promise. That isn’t as easy as it sounds.’
‘No, it wasn’t. I knew Maman would take it badly.’
‘We had better open up the shop,’ said Papa.
From down the hallway, I could hear Maman crying and I felt desperately sorry for her, but I knew she was a strong woman, and she wouldn’t go to pieces.
It was quiet in the shop that morning. As usual now, most of the trade was from the Germans. I spent the morning repairing clothing other women, who weren’t so handy with the needle, had brought in. The tinkle of the bell above the shop door was a welcome relief from the boredom. I looked up from the shirt I was sewing buttons onto, and through the doorway to the shop.
‘Bonjour, Hauptmann Kranz,’ my father said as a German officer walked in. Kranz was a frequent visitor to the shop and often bought gifts to send back to his family in Germany.
‘Bonjour, Monsieur Leroux.’
‘How can I help you?’
‘I’m actually here on official business,’ said Kranz.
Immediately I heard that, my heart missed a beat and my stomach turned in fright. I listened intently from the back room.
‘Where is the boy? Your son?’
‘My son? He’s on an errand for me,’ said Papa without faltering.
‘Hmm. I was hoping to speak to him.’ Kranz tapped his thigh with the palm of his hand in irritation. ‘How long will he be?’
Before Papa could answer, I pressed the foot pedal on the sewing machine and then let out a loud screech, followed up with a hearty groan.
‘What was that?’ demanded Kranz.
‘Excuse me,’ I heard Papa say. I looked up as he rushed into the cutting room. ‘What have you done?’
Unfortunately, Kranz had followed Papa through and was standing next to him, both men peering down at me.
I wrapped one hand over the other hand and sucked air in through my teeth. ‘I caught my finger in the sewing machine,’ I said.
‘Is it bleeding?’ Kranz frowned.
‘Maybe you should run it under the tap,’ suggested Papa. I could see the look of confusion in his eyes, and I let out another wail before rocking myself back and forth.
‘Nathalie, let me see,’ said Papa. He turned to Kranz. ‘I’m sorry, I need to attend to my daughter.’
Kranz took another look at me before giving a curt nod. ‘I’ll come back another time to see your son.’ He marched out of the room and then the shop.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Papa, rushing to my side.
I held my hands up to him, with an exaggerated sorrowful look on my face, and then I flung my hands open. ‘Ta-da! All better now.’
