Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
L izzie awoke bleary-eyed after a restless night. She had drifted off at dawn after fighting thoughts of her grandparents subjected to Nazi occupation. Then she imagined what it must be like for those trying to sleep where the bombing raids grew more intense each day.
They heard on the radio the previous evening that the Luftwaffe was bombing airfields and installations in Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire and the attacks were going on for hours at a time.
Lizzie didn’t think of herself as the nervous type, but lying in bed in the dark, silent hours between midnight and dawn, she was afraid the Germans might reach England like they threatened.
Her fears spiralled into the kind of panic that seems only to strike in the middle of the night. The Nazis had invaded the Channel Islands and the rest of Europe. Even she could see, with her limited knowledge of war, that if something didn’t change soon, Hitler would invade the whole of Britain and then what would become of them all?
Lizzie tossed and turned, unable to sleep for more than half an hour at a time. She prayed the Allies would win the war and peaceful days would return soon. She prayed for her grandparents, for her brother Archie, and for her future brother-in-law Oliver.
By the time she was dressed and seated at the breakfast table the following morning, drinking tea, and crunching on a piece of toast, she was resolved to do more to help win the war.
Just because the mighty Jack King had mocked her abilities and rejected her for his precious assignment, it did not mean she wasn’t able to do something meaningful. A burning desire to contribute had been awakened in her soul during that long, dark night. She was determined not to spend the war translating administrative documents, whilst the boys fought the enemy in the skies, at sea and on land.
‘A bit early to leave for work, isn’t it? Your sisters aren’t even out of bed yet.’ Her father remarked, poking his head from behind his newspaper when she stood and pushed her chair in. ‘I can give you a lift today if you like. My driver will be here shortly.’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘No thanks, Pa. I feel like getting some fresh air. I’ll walk through the park and hop on the bus.’
‘Very well. Take care, Lizzie.’
For a minute, she was tempted to ask her father if he would connect her up with someone who would have something more for her to do, but her mother had an eerie sixth sense. Rose had enough on her mind, and Lizzie didn’t want to add to her worries.
No—she decided if her boss couldn’t help her, she would talk to her father another time when they were alone.
Lizzie was just shrugging into her favourite light jacket with the padded shoulders when her mother, who had been pottering about in the sunny kitchen, followed her out to the hall .
‘Why are you leaving so early, darling?’ she asked.
‘No particular reason, Ma. Didn’t sleep all that well last night and could do with a walk before work or I’ll be nodding off at my desk this afternoon.’
‘Did something happen at work to upset you? You were awfully quiet last night.’
Rose had a finely tuned nose for anything that might bother her children. And all the Beaumont siblings were well acquainted with her impressive interrogation skills. If something was wrong with one of her offspring, they knew it was only a matter of time before their mother got to the bottom of it.
‘No, no, everything’s fine. Just one of those nights. I still find it strange being away from Seagrove.’
‘Well, it’s a bright morning for a walk. What time will you arrive home, do you think?’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘I can’t say. There’s a dreadful backlog at the office, so I might be late. Go ahead and eat without me and I’ll join you later.’
Rose looked concerned. ‘Do be careful, my darling girl. I don’t like you walking back on your own at night. Perhaps you can drive home in the car with Pa?’
‘Don’t worry so much, Ma. I’ll be fine. I’ll catch the bus or the Tube with one of the girls from work and it doesn’t get dark until really late now, anyway.’
‘Take the Tube. At least if there’s an air raid, you’ll be safe.’
Lizzie turned to peer at her reflection in the hall mirror and placed her red velvet hat firmly onto her brunette waves at a jaunty angle. ‘True. See you later, Ma. Have a good day.’
‘That hat suits you,’ Rose said, as Lizzie turned to hug her. ‘Brings out the green in your eyes. Someone’s heart will be broken before long,’ she added with a mischievous smile.
‘Not much chance of that with all the handsome young men away at war! ’
Lizzie caught the bus and sat on the top deck watching the world go by in a sleep deprived haze. She chose the bus over the Underground whenever possible because the London big city sights and sounds were still a novelty after growing up on a tiny island.
The bus trundled along, and she admired the fine old architecture, each building more impressive than the one before. Lizzie jumped off the bus at Horse Guards Avenue, which was just a few minutes away from 10 Downing Street and walked the short distance to work.
As she walked, she pondered how strange it was that because of one decision; she was now in London, living a completely different life than if they had stayed in Jersey. Just a few months earlier, she would have bounced out of bed and dashed down to the beach for an early morning swim.
Lizzie missed the feel of the sand between her toes and the cold water supporting her body as she swam out in the bay. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like to be living in Jersey with the Germans watching the islanders’ every move.
They probably wouldn’t allow swimming anyway, would they? The whole thing was surreal, and she was tired of thinking about the damn Nazis.
She pasted a bright smile on her face as the doorman greeted her like he did every morning. Her mother’s familiar words resounded in her head, and she followed her instruction automatically: Whatever’s going on, remember to put a smile on your face. There’s no reason to make everyone else miserable!
Lizzie was shocked to see Jack King emerge from Drake’s office, and an uncontrollable blush crept over her cheeks. That man had a disturbing effect on her since the moment they met.
She pretended not to see him and buried her pink face in her work, hoping he would leave, but she felt his presence before he spoke as he loomed over her.
‘Elizabeth?’ His voice was rich and deep, and noticeably warmer than it had been the day before.
She jerked her head up and smiled. There was no need to be rude.
‘Mr King,’ she said. ‘What a pleasant surprise.’
‘That’s kind of you to say. I was afraid I might have been too hard on you yesterday.’
Lizzie couldn’t quite bring herself to acknowledge his feeble understatement, but she was dying to know what he wanted. ‘May I help you with something?’
‘I was hoping you might. Can we go somewhere private to talk?’ he said, his voice lower but still warm.
Lizzie looked around, confused, because they were alone in the room.
‘Better to be cautious,’ he said, and she had to lean in to catch his words.
‘I daresay I can take a few minutes' break.’ She stood and followed him as he turned to leave the room. ‘I’d better let someone know.’
Jack said, ‘Don’t worry about that. Drake knows I’m here to see you. Shall we take a quick walk?’
He led the way down the winding back staircase, the walls lined with impressive oil portraits of key historical figures from British history. Lizzie’s heart thrashed about like a wild creature.
Was she in trouble for being rude to him yesterday? That was another reason she’d struggled to sleep the previous night. Ordinarily, she fell asleep when her head hit the pillow, but the meeting with Jack King had riled her up. The more she thought about him saying she was unsuitable, the more determined she was to prove she was up to the task—whatever that task may be .
Juliet’s voice entered her mind, and she heard her teasing that Lizzie was so competitive, she would do anything if there was a chance she might win.
By the time Jack reached a door on the ground floor and held it open so she could slip outside, her mouth was dry. There was a stiff breeze despite it being the height of summer, and the sun lurked behind an ominous cloud. Rain was on its way, and she rubbed her chilly arms, regretting not wearing her jacket to come outside.
‘I would offer you my jacket, but I’m afraid I didn’t bring one,’ Jack said, shrugging, his shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular forearms.
She threw him a tentative smile. Maybe he wasn’t quite so disagreeable after all.
‘I’ll be as quick as I can, but if you agree to my request, this is an important first lesson.’
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. His warm breath tickled the sensitive skin on the side of her neck. ‘Never discuss our plans inside the building, even if it seems no one is around. Always go outside if possible. You never know who might be watching or listening.’
Goosebumps erupted on her flesh, and she shivered.
‘Understood. I must say you are being very mysterious. This is rather like a spy movie I saw at the pictures recently.’
‘More like it than you know,’ said Jack, running a hand through his black hair, his dark eyes narrowing.
He really was mouth-wateringly good looking. She chastised herself as soon as the thought barged into her mind.
Whatever was she thinking? He was much too old for her, and might be married anyway, although he wasn’t wearing a wedding band.
‘I owe you an apology, so let me get that out of the way first,’ he said, his expression rueful. ‘I behaved like a clod of the highest order, and you were right to tear me off a strip. ’
Lizzie stared up at him, relieved he wasn’t going to be disparaging. She didn’t do well with reprimands and would get herself into trouble if he provoked her again.
Her eyes locked onto his. A tremor ran through her body as he studied her, and suddenly her skin no longer felt cold. It was strange that they’d only met the day before—it seemed like she’d known him much longer.
‘I’ve been under a lot of pressure, but even so, as Drake rightly pointed out, it’s no excuse. If I was rude to you yesterday, then I apologise.’
Treacherous emotions stirred within her, and her stomach fizzed.
‘You were rather rude, and I won’t deny it bothered me, but apology accepted,’ she said.
‘Good, I appreciate you are not the type to hold a grudge.’ He smiled, and she saw how charming he could be.
This was a completely different experience from their first meeting, and despite a voice warning her to tread carefully, the intensity of his eyes on hers excited her. It was like they were the only two people in the universe as they stood there looking at each other.
Lizzie had never met a man like Jack. There had been little opportunity to meet what she thought of as real men in Jersey. She’d dated a few boys, but they were most definitely not men yet. Most of the members of her circle knew one another since they were children, and on the rare occasion she met someone new, they generally shared a mutual acquaintance.
That was island life for you, and most social events she attended took place in St. Brelade’s, the parish where she had gone to school and lived all her life. It was a tight-knit community and rarely did anyone new enter it.
London was a whole different prospect. That was what she liked about sitting on the bus, people watching. The sheer number of faces she would never see again on the streets fascinated her, and she loved to imagine where they might go and what their life was like.
It made her sad now to think about Jersey boys, many much younger than her brother, who were forced by the harsh reality of war to grow into real men before their time.
‘A penny for your thoughts,’ Jack said, and Lizzie jumped.
‘London life is all so foreign to me. I was just thinking how unusual it was back home in Jersey to meet anyone new.’
‘It must be strange growing up on a tiny island,’ he said, his eyes still searing into hers. ‘I’ve never been to the Channel Islands. Now the blasted Boche have them, I regret it.’
Lizzie thought he had a way of seeing right through her, and she felt herself flush beneath his intense gaze.
‘Yes, it is different. I see that now, although it all seemed quite normal to me before moving to London.’
‘London is the best city in the world,’ he said, as though it were a proven fact. ‘But let me get to the point, Elizabeth, so I don’t take up any more of your day.’
‘Please do,’ she said, her heart hammering like it was clapping in her ears.
‘I have something to ask of you. It is dangerous and as I alluded to yesterday, it could get you killed. But we need your help. Your country needs your help. Drake believes you are the right woman for the job, which is why he brought you to see me yesterday. My question for you today is, will you help us?’
Lizzie swallowed and knots tangled in her stomach. ‘What does it entail that is so dangerous?’
‘In a nutshell, we would drop you into Northern France, in Nazi-occupied territory, hence the danger. You would need to try to meet with a member of the local Resistance to collect some vital intelligence. The assignment itself shouldn’t be too dangerous, but going in at all is obviously a colossal risk.’
A thrill ran through her as she stared at him. ‘Tell me more.’
But she already knew what her answer would be.