‘Yes. I felt all alone in a world I had no control over. No autonomy. It was frightening. And I saw that same fear and confusion in Yvette.’
‘She was vulnerable, like you. No?’
‘Exactly, that,’ agreed Fitz. It was so refreshing to find someone who understood how she felt. ‘I hated feeling like that and I think a part of me didn’t want Yvette to feel like that, either.’ She sipped her coffee as she sifted through her thoughts. ‘It’s hard to explain, but I’ve never had to look after anyone before, only myself. I didn’t want the responsibility but now it’s like I can’t choose to opt out. It feels embedded in my heart.’
Jeanne reached over and placed her hand on Fitz’s. ‘You feel like that because you care about her. Caring about a person other than ourselves is what makes us human. Love and compassion we have no control over. Don’t try to fight it. Embrace it.’
Fitz didn’t know how this woman could be so insightful.
Before she could reply, there was a rapid knocking at the back door. Jeanne jumped to her feet, spilling her coffee. ‘Quick. Upstairs,’ she whispered, snatching Fitz’s cup from her hand and rushing over to the sink, tipping it away filling it with cold water.
Fitz darted up the stairs, thankful she had taken her shoes off earlier. She waited on the landing, out of sight.
The knocking came again. ‘Jeanne. Open up. It’s me, Frédéric.’
Fitz heard the door open and then urgent whispered voices that she couldn’t make out.
Next Jeanne was hurrying up the stairs. ‘Quickly,’ she said. ‘You and Yvette must leave now. There is a patrol on the way. That horrid woman, Cussac, must have reported me.’
Fitz rushed through to the bedroom and woke Yvette. She didn’t bother taking off the nightdress but pulled the clothes on over the top. The extra layer would help keep her warm. Fitz didn’t know where they were going or who with. She hadn’t even heard Jeanne mention anyone called Frédéric.
Fitz and Yvette hurried downstairs, pausing in the doorway. ‘What will happen to you? Will you be all right?’
‘Don’t worry about me,’ replied Jeanne.
‘Thank you,’ said Fitz, hugging Jeanne tightly. ‘I shall never forget your kindness.’
‘We have to go,’ hissed Frédéric.
‘Go,’ said Jeanne. ‘And may God go with you, too.’
Frédéric hurried them out through the back of the property, Fitz glanced back one last time, but the door was closed. The sound of a vehicle’s engine coming along the lane cut through the night air. Fitz caught glimpses of headlights flickering through the hedgerow.
‘Hurry!’ urged Frédéric. He picked Yvette up and threw her over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes and broke into a run, along the hedge, heading away from the house. The moon was out and Fitz could see him ahead of her. They needed to get into the trees before the Germans spotted them.
It was only fifty yards or so and as she darted into the woodland, she looked back again and could see all the lights on in Jeanne’s house. The Germans must be inside searching for her and Yvette.
‘They will be all right,’ said Frédéric, setting Yvette down on the ground. ‘The Germans have only the word of a silly old woman who tends to get muddled. Or at least that is what the doctor willsay.’ He gave a nonchalant shrug. ‘Old age, it comes to us all. Now come, quickly. We must get to the safe house.’
‘How far away is the safe house?’ asked Fitz, as Yvette ran over to her and clung onto her hand.
‘Just a mile,’ replied Frédéric, already walking away.
Fitz and Yvette jogged to catch up with him. At least they would have somewhere to sleep for the rest of the night. ‘After that?’ she asked.
‘You ask a lot of questions.’
‘I don’t like to be kept in dark if I can help it.’
‘You will be pleased to know there is a plane coming tomorrow night. It is bringing in supplies. And you and the child have a place on it for the return journey.’
‘A plane? Back to England?’ Fitz could scarcely believe what she was hearing.
‘Where else do you think you are going?’ The Frenchman shook his head. ‘You just need to make it through the next twenty-four hours and then you’re going home.’
Twenty-four hours. One thousand, four hundred and forty-eight minutes. That was all they had to stay safe for. The relief and excitement rushed through Fitz’s veins, sending tingling sensations to her fingertips.
Oh, please, God, let them make it. She had only been in France for two weeks, but it felt like forever. Now she knew what hell would be like, she never wanted to experience that again.
