‘It’s fine. Don’t worry now,’ said Fitz, between puffs of breath. She opened the gate and stepped out onto the path where she came to an abrupt halt.
The car was gone.
She looked down the hill and saw the taillights disappearing around the corner. They had left her. Deserted her.
Fitz stared in disbelief. How could they do that?
‘What are we doing?’ asked Yvette.
That was a very good question. Fitz had to think fast to work out what to do next.
They’d have to go back to the château. She could hardly try to escape dressed in a bright red evening gown; she’d be stopped the moment she was spotted.
‘We need to go back to our room,’ she said.
Yvette looked confused. ‘Why? And where is the man?’
‘He had to go,’ said Fitz. ‘Now, do you think we can creep back just as quietly as we did coming out here?’
‘Is this a game?’
‘Kind of.’
‘It’s a silly game.’
Fitz couldn’t argue with that. ‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘Right, let’s go.’
They made it back to the room unseen by anyone. Somehow, Fitz needed to let Margot know what had happened. Fitz was in danger now. As soon as it was discovered Hoffmann was missing, she’d be the first person they would come looking for. She was the last person seen with him.
She considered her options. Sleep in Hoffmann’s bed and wake up pretending to be confused as to where he was. Sleep in her own bed and say she’d left him sleeping this morning or had woken up and he wasn’t there.
Yvette was yawning and had snuggled down under the covers. Fitz sat next to her and brushed her hair from her face. ‘Try to go to sleep,’ she said.
Anxiety was eating away at her stomach and Fitz was sure she was going to be sick as her mind flitted from one solution to another – none of them ideal.
As far as Margot and Philippe were concerned, she and Yvette had escaped with the colonel. No one knew they were still here. At what point would Margot be made aware of the change in plan? Fitz couldn’t rely on the Frenchwoman coming to their rescue.
If Engel looked for her tonight and couldn’t find her in Hoffmann’s room, then he’d come here. The thought sent a shudder through her body. She couldn’t let Yvette witness her being arrested by Engel. The poor child would be terrified.
Fitz needed to go back to Hoffmann’s room and wait there. She might be able to keep Yvette safe from harm if she wasn’t with her. Someone might have the foresight to get to Yvette first.
She got up from the bed and went over to the writing desk in the corner. Taking a sheet of paper, she wrote a message for Yvette.
Darling Yvette
I’m so sorry I had to go. I wish it could have been different.
You are a wonderful girl, and your mummy would have been so proud of you. As am I. Please know how much you are loved.
Am leaving kisses for you to keep in your pocket.
Claudine.
Fitz folded the note in half and slipped it into an envelope, before sealing it. She tucked it under the ribbon around the teddy bear’s neck, then, kissing her fingertips, she gently touched Yvette’s forehead.
‘Stay safe, darling girl.’
Chapter 24
