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Andrée moves aside as Tina quickly wraps the three books.

“Is there a discount for buying all three at the same time?” Mme Charbonnier asks.

“No. No, full price, I’m afraid,” Tina says briskly.

After taking her money and handing over the package, Tina curtly wishes Mme Charbonnier a lovely day.

Andrée waits until the door is closed, watching the woman pass by the window before turning back to her mother. Tina raises an eyebrow and Andrée laughs.

“You handled her beautifully, Maman, although for a moment there, I thought I might have to rescue you.”

“Don’t you mean rescue her?”

“At least she can’t tell the other women, whoever they are, that you refused to serve her. She might have something to say about you not agreeing with her outrageous statements, but well done, Maman.”

“Thank you, ma chérie. I can be diplomatic when it’s needed, but that wasn’t easy. She’s one to keep an eye on, especially as her daughter is at the school. At least she’s older. How was your visit with Dancer, by the way?”

“I admire her so much. She was, probably still is, a beautiful dancer, and now she’s raising her son alone with no idea where her husband is. I don’t know how many networks she is connected to, but judging by her general air of anxiety and exhaustion, I’m thinking more than the two we know about.”

“Do you think she’s coping?” asks Tina. “Should we be worried about giving her assignments?”

“She’s coping as well as the rest of us, and, no, I don’t think we should hold back. She’s very capable, and we need her. It’s one thing to be a wireless operator, but she has to collect the intelligence she needs to send, and pass on the instructions she receives from London. And she moves around the city almost invisibly,” Andrée says with admiration.

“We all do what little we can, Andrée, and Dancer is an asset, no doubt about it. Was she able to help you with Josie?”

“Oh, Maman. She was so moved by our conversation. It seemed to be just what she needed. She told me how she and Saul met, how his mother taught her how to make Jewish bread, and you should have seen her face when she talked about Saul. She’s committed to teaching Philippe these customs, and she’s invited us to join them on the first night of Hanukkah and have Josie light the first candle.”

“What did you say?”

“That we would only come if we could bring what food we could.”

“When is Hanukkah?”

“This year it starts on the third of December and it lasts eight days.”

“So it will be over before Christmas.”

“Yes.” Andrée’s face lights up as she has an idea. “Perhaps we should do a little more this year to show Josie how we used to celebrate Christmas. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a wonderful plan. I’ll send your father into the cellar to find some of the decorations we haven’t put up in years. I know they’re down there.”

“Speaking of Papa, do you have any idea when he’ll be back? I have a feeling he’s returning with something special from Colonel Pallas.”

“Why do you say that?” asks Tina, suddenly alert.

“When was the last time the colonel asked Papa to visit him? He normally waits for him to go at his scheduled time each week.”

“We will find out when he returns.”

“I think I’ll go home and wait for him. What time are you going to close, Maman?”

“Soon. I think I’ve had all the customers I’m going to get today, and, quite frankly, I’m not in the mood for any more.”

“Tell me, Maman—do you worry when Papa goes to see Colonel Pallas and is late coming home?”

Tina looks away, gathering herself before facing her daughter. “Yes. He’s his most risky contact. Colonel Pallas is head of the network; his capture would be a coup for the Germans. So yes, I fear your father getting caught up in his arrest.”

Andrée kisses her mother on the cheek. “You know Papa. He’s careful, and he’s not going to stop. What we’re doing is too important to have doubts now.”