Shadows In Paris (Seagrove & Raven #2)

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

T hey sat next to the fire and warmed themselves whilst Jack brought them each a steaming bowl of broth. Hannah rummaged in her satchel for the baguette, and they dipped it in their bowls.

‘If you hadn’t turned up when you did, I was about to go into the city to look for you,’ Jack said, settling into a chair and lighting a cigarette.

‘I can’t believe you are here. HQ was dead against it,’ Lizzie said, careful not to mention Val by name. They were under strict orders not to reveal information about the SOE staff to members of the Resistance, and she didn’t know how much Hannah knew.

‘They were against it, but when you said Hannah had gone missing and you were staying to look for her, I convinced them it was a good idea for me to drop in for backup. And here you are perfectly fine without my intervention. I had visions of breaking into German High Command to rescue you, but the pair of you stroll in here, bold as brass. The boss said you would handle it without me. She was right. ’

‘Lizzie broke into German High Command!’ Hannah said in between mouthfuls of bread and broth.

‘Did she now?’ Jack said, and Lizzie felt his eyes drilling into her as she ate, and she avoided meeting his stare. He blew smoke circles over his head and Lizzie ventured a glance at him. ‘Tell me what happened, Seagrove.’

Lizzie recounted how she’d found Philippe who connected her with a cleaner in his network, and how she’d gone in pretending to be one of the cleaning team. She gave Jack the shortened version, glossing over their exit. If she told him the details, the whole story would unravel about Karl, the Nazi officer from the train, and how she endangered them all by eating cake and allowing him to drive her to the farmhouse.

And on top of all that, if it wasn’t enough to raise red flags, he turned out to be the dead major general’s brother. No, she would keep that between her and Hannah. She didn’t want Jack worrying about her more than he already did. In his quest to watch over her, he could use it against her in the future. She wouldn’t risk having her wings clipped, even in the name of him keeping her safe.

A look of understanding passed between Lizzie and Hannah.

Jack studied Lizzie’s face but didn’t question her on the matter any further. ‘I scoped out German High Command this morning and saw them preparing to lock down the city. Hannah, does your face adorn every shop window and noticeboard by now?’

Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘Something like that.’ She continued the story and told Jack how they had escaped the city in the milk truck.

‘Is it hidden in case they come looking for you?’ he asked.

‘We skidded off the road into a snowdrift and had to abandon it on the side. It won’t be long before it’s covered if this heavy snowfall keeps up,’ she said, looking out of the cottage window. ‘I’d forgotten about this place.’

‘Me too. It belongs to old friends of my parents, and I took the chance the spare key would be in the usual place. They obviously still stay here sometimes because there were some basic supplies in the cupboard.’

‘Do we have a pickup arranged?’ Lizzie asked.

‘Tomorrow. I wanted enough time to find you both, and now we don’t have a way to contact them to move it to tonight. Will you come back with us, Hannah?’ Jack asked, without missing a beat.

Hannah looked startled. ‘No, it’s kind of you to invite me, but I told Lizzie I can’t. Not until this nightmare is over.’

‘My mother called to let me know Henry has a few days' leave coming up. It’s his first in ages and seems serendipitous with us all together like this. I can get you in with no fuss. It would mean the world to him to see you, even for a brief reunion. Won’t you reconsider?’

Hannah looked from Jack to Lizzie. ‘Let me think about it.’

‘No problem. It’ll be wheels up tomorrow night, so sleep on it.’

‘My work here isn’t finished,’ she said.

Jack’s expression was sombre. ‘I understand that. Neither is ours.’

‘How will I get back in?’

‘The same way we get in. You have my word. I’ll see to it that you return as soon as you wish. My mother will be overjoyed to see you. She never fails to ask after you, which is tricky given how I’m sworn to secrecy. You’ll be doing me an immense favour.’

Hannah’s blue eyes misted up as she looked at Jack.

‘I promise I’ll think about it. It would mean the world to me to see Henry, too. It’s been so long. Sometimes, I can’t quite picture his face.’

Lizzie was reminded once again of the tough life Hannah lived. Of course, she couldn’t carry a photo of her handsome, brave boyfriend, who flies Spitfires for the RAF.

‘It would be incredible if you came,’ Lizzie said softly. ‘We could all use a bit of a rest, even if only for a couple of days.’

Dusk had descended on the cottage and Jack stood to light a lamp. Lizzie crossed to look out the window and moved the blackout blind aside to see a gleaming white curtain of snow falling. ‘Are we safe here for the night?’ she asked, turning to Jack.

‘We should be, out here in a snowstorm, in the middle of nowhere. I imagine the Boche have their hands full with locking down the city. But I’ll keep watch and you two can turn in and catch up on some sleep. You must be exhausted after the excitement of the past few days.’

Lizzie sought Jack’s eyes in a secret signal. She wanted to convey how much she longed to be with him, but it wouldn’t do with Hannah around, so a passionate glance would have to suffice until they were back on home turf.

‘I’ll take a turn. You must be tired as well,’ she said.

‘Me too,’ Hannah said. ‘It’s only fair.’

Jack nodded. He knew there was no point trying to stop these two firecrackers from doing their bit. With either of them keeping watch, he would sleep. ‘Very well. I’ll take the first shift. Who wants the second?’

Lizzie opened her mouth to volunteer, but Hannah beat her to it. ‘I’ll take it.’

‘Fine, then me,’ Lizzie said. ‘Just call me when it’s my turn.’

Lizzie and Hannah took their bowls into the small kitchen, and Jack readied himself for the lookout.

Hannah washed the dishes, and Lizzie dried. Tiredness seeped into her muscles. When Hannah went upstairs, she would make tea and keep Jack company for a while. The thought of a few stolen moments alone with him instantly dissipated the weariness, and excitement buzzed through her like an electric power grid. He didn’t need to come. He had risked his life for her. Again.

Hannah looked up from the sink and whispered. ‘I’d better give you two some time alone.’

The words jolted Lizzie out of her trance. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, come on, Liz. Who do you two think you are kidding? I wasn’t born yesterday, you know!’ Hannah grinned and Lizzie saw the mischievous glint in her blue eyes.

Lizzie’s face felt hot as she returned Hannah’s stare. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she whispered. Jack mustn’t hear this exchange. He’d be mortified Hannah had rumbled them so easily.

‘Of course you don’t. Anyway, don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. If there’s anyone who’s an expert keeper of secrets, you’re looking at her!’

Lizzie was about to deny it again, but she couldn’t think what to say to convince Hannah she had misread the situation, when clearly, she hadn’t.

‘Is it that obvious?’ Lizzie asked after a pause. ‘What gave us away? I thought we were being so careful.’

‘I’ve known you are in love with him since you arrived in Paris. It’s the way your eyes light up when you say his name.’

‘Oh dear,’ Lizzie said.

‘And if I hadn’t guessed then, I would have seen it today by the way he looks at you.’

Lizzie looked sheepish. ‘And we think we’re so unreadable. I hope everyone at home doesn’t know.’

‘I doubt it. Most people are far too busy thinking about their own life to pick up on such things. I read people for a living. It’s the only reason I’m still alive. Talking of which, I could kick myself for how I endangered us all by missing the signals from that bastard Hans. I should have known he was onto me.’

‘Don’t beat yourself up over that. You salvaged the situation, and he got what he deserved.’ Lizzie squeezed Hannah’s shoulder. ‘When I grow up, I want to be like you.’

Hannah hugged Lizzie, and they stood there for a rare moment of silent camaraderie. When they drew apart, Hannah whispered, ‘Now go and make the most of your time together. I’ll be upstairs. You are two of my favourite people and you deserve every second of happiness you can snatch in this insane world.’

Lizzie left the kitchen and went in search of Jack.