As light-footed as possible, I made my way downstairs and out into the courtyard. It was so dark, I could barely see. The chatter and noise from the late-night drinkers at the bar across the road could still be heard. It would only be the soldiers, as the rest of us had to abide by the nine o’clock curfew. I stepped out further into the courtyard. I resisted the urge to whisper Edgar’s name into the night, just in case it was a trap.
‘Who’s there?’ I opted for instead, keeping my voice low and quiet.
A hand suddenly went around my mouth from behind. I grabbed at the hand and then I heard a voice in my ear. ‘Shh. It’s me, Edgar.’
Immediately, I relaxed, and the hand lifted from my mouth. I turned around, coming face to face with my brother. ‘What did you do that for?’ I demanded.
‘I didn’t want to make you jump and scream out loud.’
‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’
‘Sorry, my dear sister.’ There was amusement in his voice and my anger evaporated.
‘I’m glad you got my message,’ I replied, the tension dropping from my shoulders. I hugged Edgar, as a wave of relief he was there washed over me. ‘Are you well?’
‘Oui. Pas trop mal. Not too bad,’ he replied. ‘How are Papa and Maman?’
‘Maman is very cross with me for not telling her you were leaving.’
‘And Papa?’
‘He pretended to be cross but I think secretly he’s very proud of you,’ I replied. ‘That’s not to say they aren’t both worried about you.’
‘You can tell them I’m fine.’
‘I’ll do nothing of the sort. They would never forgive me if they found out I’ve met with you and not told them.’
‘I will be in touch with them soon. When it’s safe to do so.’
‘I know.’
‘So, what is it you wanted me for?’ asked Edgar, moving back into the shadows of the garden wall. ‘I’m sure it wasn’t to tell me you missed me.’
I flicked his arm with the back of my hand. ‘No, it wasn’t. You haven’t been gone long enough for me to miss you.’
Edgar chuckled. ‘So, what is it?’
I quickly relayed to him the conversation I’d overheard between Kranz and another officer. ‘You have to warn Monsieur Cadue. If he has a printing press, then the Germans mustn’t find it.’ I paused as a thought struck me. ‘Let me see your hands.’
‘What?’
I snatched up Edgar’s hands and peered at them in the dim light of the moon. ‘What’s all that?’ I asked, pointing to black smudge marks. ‘If it’s ink, you need to be more careful.’
Edgar pulled his hands away. ‘The less you know, the better.’
‘Please don’t tell me you’ve been hiding out at the bookshop, just a few hundred metres away, all this time?’
‘As I said, the less you know, the better.’
I took that as a yes, but knew he was right. If I knew nothing, then I couldn’t accidentally tell anyone or worse still, break under an interrogation. ‘I won’t ask any more questions,’ I said. Even suspecting something and not speaking up was an arrestable offence these days. ‘Do you need anything? Food? Money?’ I delved into my pocket where I had a few francs I had made from repairing some garments for the Germans last week.
‘Keep your money,’ said Edgar. ‘I don’t want to take it.’
I pushed it into his hands. ‘Take it as my way of helping. What do I need it for? I can’t spend it on anything.’
‘Very well. Thank you.’ He pushed the folded and now somewhat crumpled notes into the pocket of his trousers. ‘I do need you to do something for me, though.’
‘Of course. What is it?’
