She went to speak but Yves shook his head. ‘It’s best if we do not know your names.’
‘Oui.Of course,’ said Fitz, feeling embarrassed she hadn’t thought of that herself.
Scout was still hovering in the doorway and Yves took a bag from under the sink. He scooped a handful of dog biscuits and dropped them into a metal bowl. ‘We used to have a dog,’ he explained. ‘He died a few months ago.’
‘A dog,’ said Vivienne, her eyes lighting up as she noticed the animal for the first time. ‘Oh, he is beautiful. What is his name?’
‘I don’t know his name, but I’ve been calling him Scout,’ said Fitz.
Yves took the bowl over to the doorway and placed it on the floor. ‘What sort of name is that for a French dog?’ he said not without humour. ‘He is a very handsome dog. A little on the thinside and looks like he could do with a wash. He needs a more suitable name.’
‘He should be called Beau,’ said Vivienne, crouching down and tapping the bowl to encourage the dog into the kitchen.
Hesitantly, the dog moved into the house and after sniffing the contents of the bowl, eagerly began eating. Vivienne stroked his head and Fitz was amazed the dog didn’t bat an eyelid.
‘Now leave the dog alone,’ said Yves. ‘We need to feed our guests. I suspect they are in a hurry to be somewhere.’
‘Of course,’ said Vivienne, getting up and busying herself at the stove.
Within a few minutes both Fitz and Yvette were tucking into fried eggs and bread. ‘Thank you so much,’ said Fitz when they had finished. ‘You have been very kind.’ She looked at Yvette who was mopping up her egg yolk with the bread. If Fitz was going to leave Yvette with anyone, Yves and his daughter might be the best option. Who knew if she would get another chance? ‘Monsieur,’ she began. ‘I was wondering if it would be possible for the child to stay with you?’
Yves frowned and exchanged a look with his daughter. ‘Why do you want to do that?’
Before Fitz could answer, Yvette jumped in. ‘I don’t want to stay here. I want to stay with you.’ She grabbed Fitz’s forearm with both her hands. ‘Don’t leave me here.’
Fitz looked at Yves and Vivienne. If she thought she was going to get some back-up, she had sorely misjudged them. They both remained silent. Fitz tried again. ‘I have things I need to do in Josselin and it’s not the best place for a child. Please. It is not safe for me to take her.’
‘No!’ cried Yvette. ‘I’m not staying.’
‘Yvette, that’s enough,’ said Fitz, rather more sternly than she intended. She tried to extract her arm from Yvette’s grip but Yvette wasn’t letting go. ‘It’s not safe for you to come with me.’
Yves held up his hand. ‘Enough,’ he said. He looked at Fitz. ‘She doesn’t want to stay.’
‘She’s only a child and doesn’t understand,’ protested Fitz. Gosh, she couldn’t look at Yvette, it was making her feel guilty. Of course it was better if Yvette stayed here. Why didn’t anyone see that? She turned to Vivienne. ‘Would you be able to look after her?’
Vivienne’s eyes widened a fraction. ‘I’m sorry, but it would be even more dangerous for her to stay here. For her and for us.’
Yves cleared his throat. ‘We have a German officer billeted here. No, don’t be alarmed. He’s not here now. He’s away for two days but he will be back and how could we explain a child suddenly appearing?’
Fitz dropped her gaze. Yves was right, of course. There was no way she could leave Yvette here. She patted Yvette’s hand. ‘It’s all right. You’re coming with me.’
Yvette’s face lit up. ‘I am?’
‘Yes,’ said Fitz, feeling strangely relieved herself.
‘You’re not leaving me?’
‘No.’ Fitz smiled at Yvette who clung even more tightly to her.
The embrace was so full of emotion, Fitz could feel the relief sparking out from Yvette like an electrical charge, zapping her right in the heart. Yvette sat up, unhooking her arms from around Fitz, but refusing to let go of her hand. Fitz gave her hand a little squeeze. ‘We should really leave now.’ She was conscious that they had little time to make it to Josselin. Her stomach gave an anxiety-ridden roll at the prospect of missing the rendezvous.
‘Where are you going?’ asked Yves.
‘Erm, it’s probably best if I don’t say,’ said Fitz, not wishing to compromise herself.
Yves nodded his understanding. ‘If I was to tell you I was going to a village near Josselin this morning with my horse and cart, would that be of help to you?’
Fitz glanced at Vivienne, who nodded encouragingly. She looked back at Yves. ‘That would be very helpful, indeed.’
