Chapter 22 #2
‘Well, yes,’ said Archie with a grin. ‘The first time.’
I laughed properly this time. ‘And you can lip-read, really?’
‘Really.’
‘That is an extraordinarily useful skill to have in our line of work.’
‘Isn’t it?’
I studied him for a second, wondering how I’d managed to misjudge him so badly and feeling a little guilty about it.
‘I was rather rude to you, at the beginning, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ he said. ‘Believe it or not I was nervous about starting this job, and then you blundered your way into the office, and took me by surprise.’
‘You should have told me about your hearing loss.’
‘I don’t like …’ He sighed. ‘I don’t want to be seen as weak.’
‘I hardly think that’s likely.’
‘I know people talk about why I’ve not joined up.’
‘Rubbish,’ I said, though I’d heard many embassy staff members wondering just that.
Archie gave a little smile. ‘I’ve seen them whispering about me. Talking about how I’ve been whizzing about Lisbon in my car, with pretty girls on my arm, living it up …’
‘When really you’re putting all your efforts into the escape routes?’
‘I have been. I’ve spent a lot of time in France and Spain the last few months. Lisbon is a break after all that. It feels like a treat.’
‘And the pretty girls?’ I asked. ‘Are they a treat?’
‘What do you think?’
‘I think you’ve been wining and dining the girls who know all the gossip. Like Penny. Making sure everything here is secure.’
He looked at me, his eyes amused, but he didn’t say if I was right.
I wasn’t finished. ‘Are the escapees going to come here? To Lisbon? Are we the last stop on the escape lines?’
‘You’ve got it.’ He sounded pleased that I’d worked it out. ‘We thought about routing them through Gibraltar first, but that’s dicey. So, Lisbon it is.’
I sat back in my chair.
‘And we wait?’
‘We do.’
We chinked our glasses again.
Archie looked at me over the top of his drink. ‘I’m sorry about your brother.’
I nodded. ‘Thank you.’
‘The way my family fell apart after Don died, well, sometimes I think about that happening all over Europe,’ said Archie, swilling his drink around the glass. ‘Tiny ripples on the pond but breaking the surface over and over. The aftermath of this war. Of all wars. Well, it’s enormous, isn’t it?’
I felt tearful suddenly. I pinched my lips together as I nodded. ‘It’s been …’ I began.
‘Awful?’
‘Completely.’
He put his hand on my arm and squeezed gently, letting me know he understood. I felt the weight I’d been carrying, the tight, burning knot in my chest, that had been there since Jamie’s death, lessen. Just a little bit.
‘How did you end up in Lisbon?’ Archie said.
‘I have an ear for languages,’ I said. ‘An excellent memory – photographic. I went to Cambridge because that’s where my father had gone.
Though I had to go to a women’s college of course.
My father – actually both my parents – were always supportive and encouraging.
I never once considered not going to university because I’m female. It didn’t cross my mind.’
‘But?’ said Archie.
‘But when I got there, I realised that outside of my little family cocoon, the world was a different place for women.’
‘You studied at Cambridge,’ said Archie. ‘That’s an achievement for anyone, man or woman.’
‘I studied at Cambridge,’ I told him through gritted teeth. ‘I went to lectures, I wrote essays, I attended seminars. But I do not have a Cambridge degree, because women are not allowed them.’
‘Should have gone to Edinburgh,’ said Archie. ‘It’s a much more civilised institution.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘That’s not really the point.’
‘I suppose not.’
‘I was recruited when I was still a student,’ I went on. ‘And I discovered that Section D treats women exactly the same as men. It was like a breath of fresh air after my years at Cambridge.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ said Archie. ‘As are the men you got out of Dunkirk, I’m sure.’
‘Dunkirk was a team, it wasn’t just me,’ I said, but I was flattered both by his praise and that he knew what I’d worked on.
‘Tell me about the visas,’ he said. ‘But tell the truth this time.’
‘I can’t,’ I said. ‘People could get into trouble.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Watkins, I’m on your side,’ Archie said.
‘Promise?’
‘It’s not just you, is it?’
‘My friends Lara and Bea have been helping when they can.’
‘Bea from the bookshop?’
‘That’s her. Lara works there too, and she works in the British Bar.’
Archie nodded. ‘And I’m guessing they’re the ones who were helping Alves.’
‘You’re guessing right.’
‘But what about at the embassy? Is it Edith?’
Slowly I nodded. Archie clenched his fist and did a tiny punch in the air in triumph. ‘I knew it. She’s a clever woman.’
‘She is.’
‘And the job offers and sponsors? Where did you find so many?’
‘My parents and their friends from church,’ I said. ‘Edith’s sister, and their friends in the Quakers. Bea knows everyone and her friend Hector is helping from London. Lara’s theatre people. Lots of folk were willing to help.’
‘It’s really quite an achievement,’ he said.
‘Do you think so?’
‘I do.’
I smiled. ‘I hope Parrish hasn’t ruined it.’
‘He didn’t get a chance to pass the information to Jose Costa. I intercepted it first.’
‘But what if he does it again?’ I said. ‘What if he steals more visa applications from Edith?’
‘He won’t.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Because I’m going to get rid of him.’
I was horrified. ‘You’re going to kill him?’
‘Lord, no,’ said Archie, looking alarmed. ‘I’m going to ship him back to London. Find a job in a basement of some ministry somewhere. It’s no more than he deserves.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ I said. ‘I did think for a minute …’
Archie looked at me, his face serious. ‘Do you want me to have him killed? Because I can do that, you know. I know people …’
I punched him on the arm. ‘Don’t,’ I said, as Archie began to chuckle.
I sipped my drink. ‘Of course,’ I said casually. ‘I wouldn’t need to get someone else to kill him. I could do it myself.’
Archie laughed even harder.
‘I think you’d better leave it with me,’ he said. ‘I’ll deal with Mr Parrish.’