‘You’re quite a pilot, so I understand,’ continued Henley. ‘In fact, pretty damn good by all accounts.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ Fitz hoped this was a good omen. He did say it wasn’t anything to worry about but she wished he’d get to the point.
‘Also, you’re pretty good with the French language. Speak like a native, I’m told.’
‘I had three French governesses,’ said Fitz.
‘Yes, I heard through the grapevine you had a nice chat with a couple of Frenchmen at Tangmere recently.’
‘It’s nice to use it when I get the chance,’ replied Fitz, wondering where on earth the conversation was leading to.
A knock at the door interrupted them. ‘Come in,’ called out Henley.
‘Good morning, Henley,’ came the voice of another man.
Fitz turned to see a man in civilian clothes of a suit and tie enter the room. He shook hands with the officer and then looked at Fitz. ‘And you must be the infamous Fitz, I’ve heard so much about.’
‘Yes.’ Fitz got to her feet and shook the outstretched hand of the man.
‘My name’s Wilding, I’m with the Joint Technical Board. We oversee certain foreign operations,’ he explained. He sat down in the seat opposite Fitz, while Henley took his place on the other side of the desk.
Fitz sat down, too. She had no idea what the Joint Technical Board was. She was sure she’d never heard of them.
‘Mr Wilding is looking to recruit some new staff,’ said Henley. ‘It’s come to our attention that you might have the specialist skills he is looking for.’
‘I see,’ said Fitz. ‘And, if I may ask, what sort of position did you have in mind?’ She couldn’t imagine what they wanted her for other than to fly planes, unless it was her language skills and they wanted her to liaise with some of the French operatives that were in England.
Henley and Wilding exchanged a look, before the latter spoke. ‘I can’t say too much about the position just yet. It’s all rather delicate. Anything I say now is said in the utmost confidence. You are not to repeat this to anyone.’
Now Fitz’s interest was really piqued. ‘Of course not.’
‘We’re looking for a young woman such as yourself to undertake a top-secret assignment,’ said Wilding. ‘That’s about all I can say.’
‘And you’ve picked me above anyone else?’ Fitz wasn’t sure who Wilding represented but surely there must be other females he could choose from.
‘We need someone who can speak fluent French and fly a light aircraft,’ said Wilding. ‘That’s all I’m prepared to say right now, other than it will be a highly dangerous mission.’
‘Don’t answer immediately,’ cautioned Henley. ‘Have a few minutes to think about it. I mean really think about it. If you’re not up for it, we can pretend this conversation never happened and move on. No one will think any the worse of you. As Wilding said, it’s highly dangerous.’
‘We’re looking for an attractive young woman such as yourself to act as a bit of a decoy,’ said Wilding. ‘I won’t lie and pretend it’s not risky work. It is. It involves you being dropped into enemy territory and carrying out instructions. Again, it’s highly dangerous. Quite simply, it could cost you your life.’ He looked at Fitz, as if weighing her up. ‘Do you think you’re up for something like that?’
Fitz looked from one man to the other, as she considered what she was being asked. ‘I take it the enemy territory is France.’
‘Indeed. With your linguistic skills, you’ll fit in perfectly as a native. The Germans won’t be able to tell you’re English. That’s what I’ve been told at any rate.’
‘I had no idea anyone had monitored my French so closely,’ said Fitz.
Henley gave a smile. ‘It’s been noted by the right people.’
Fitz didn’t really need to think about it for very long. What did she have to lose? The danger didn’t particularly scare her. Shehad lost everything dear to her, if she didn’t include her father or her little brother Michael. And maybe she was better off out of their lives, anyway. That way she’d be no bother to her father or her stepmother. Not that she had any particular desire to die but it didn’t frighten her.
‘I accept,’ she declared.
Part 2
Southern Britanny
France
