Echoes of a Swiss Betrayal
Chapter 1
‘Would anybody like more roast potatoes?’ Rose asked, looking around the large table at her family and the two guests who were clearly relishing the Sunday roast.
Jack raised his head. ‘I’d love more if you can spare them, Mrs Beaumont. I haven’t eaten roast potatoes this delicious since before the war.’ His deep voice was rich and melodic, and Lizzie savoured his presence from where she sat next to him.
Rose served more potatoes and poured the thin wartime gravy onto his plate. ‘Call me Ma or Rose, dear boy. You’re one of the family now.’
When they had announced their engagement after Lizzie returned from her Berlin mission, Jack was welcomed warmly into the Beaumont family and on rare days like this, when they enjoyed a brief respite from the relentless demands of the war, Lizzie felt like she should pinch herself to check she could really be this happy.
Jack sitting next to her in their Regent’s Park home on this cold Sunday, surrounded by her loving family was like a dream come true after so much sneaking around when they had to pretend he was only her commanding officer and there was nothing more between them than dull war work.
Occasionally his warm fingers caressed her hand beneath the table, and she turned to gaze at her handsome fiancé, dashing as ever in his captain’s uniform.
It was a tremendous relief to finally be honest with her family about their relationship, even if they couldn’t tell the truth about their secret work at the Special Operations Executive.
‘The potatoes are the star of your Dig for Victory plot,’ Pa said, raising his head and smiling broadly at his wife. ‘You have done a terrific job, my love.’
‘Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit. Violet has such wonderful green fingers.’
The much-loved housekeeper and cook bustled in to clear the empty dishes off the table.
‘The garden work is a blessing. Keeps me sane,’ she said.
They worked as a team, and Rose enjoyed her company.
‘The size of the joint is pitiful, but I’m afraid that’s all we could muster with the rations, and the gravy, well …
it’s the best we can do. Thank God we have the produce from the garden, or you strapping men would waste away on these portions!
’ Rose cast her eyes from Jack to Chuck, Evie’s American GI boyfriend.
Jack had accompanied them to the church service, but Chuck, a Methodist, had joined them at the house for lunch after they returned from Sunday Mass at St. James's.
Chuck smiled. ‘You are too kind, ma’am. This is just about the best thing I've eaten since I left home.'
‘You’re very welcome, Chuck. We can’t have you returning to America all skin and bone, now, can we?’ Rose said lightly. Her eyes moved from the GI to rest briefly on her daughter Evie’s glowing face.
Lizzie also glanced at Evie and wondered what the future held for her baby sister and her American boyfriend, who had become something of a permanent fixture. When would the poor boy get to go home to Ohio to eat his mother’s potatoes again, and what would happen to dearest Evie when he did?
Pulling herself back to the present, Lizzie’s gaze flickered to the table where Rose presented them each with a small portion of steamed pudding and custard, topped with a drizzle of her famous strawberry jam.
‘Violet made the pudding. Apologies for the dreadful powdered custard. I would never have served that in Jersey, but we barely see an egg these days.’
‘The pudding is scrumptious, Ma,’ Lizzie said, scraping her bowl clean.
There were enthusiastic murmurs around the table as the Beaumont tribe and their guests finished the Sunday meal. After the table was cleared, they played card games, and Evie was exuberant in her victory, beating them repeatedly.
Jack glanced at his watch.
Lizzie caught his eye. ‘Must you leave already?’
He caught her hand in his. ‘I’m sorry, but I must. Val wants me at Baker Street this evening.’
‘Shall I come too?’
‘No, darling. You stay here and enjoy the evening. I’ll see you tomorrow at the office.’
After Jack said his goodbyes, Lizzie walked him to the front door. Before he stepped outside into the cold fog, he enveloped Lizzie in his arms, and they kissed passionately before reluctantly parting.
‘I love you, darling. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon,’ Jack said, towering over her in the doorway.
‘I love you,’ she said, craning her neck and staring into his dark eyes, which reflected the depth of feeling between them. ‘Sleep well, and I’ll see you in the morning.’
‘I never sleep well when you’re not beside me, but I have work to do.’
The damp air enveloped them as he opened the door wider and stepped out onto the glistening rain-soaked pavement. He turned back to Lizzie, and they held hands briefly.
‘Come bright and early. We have much to do to prepare you for Switzerland,’ he said, lowering his voice to a whisper.
‘Of course. I’m excited to get started,’ she murmured.
‘I hate the thought of you leaving again so soon, but at least your posting is on neutral ground, and even you should be able to stay out of trouble at the British Legation in Bern!’
Lizzie laughed and punched his upper arm gently. ‘That’s not fair. I can’t help it if Val sends me on dangerous missions. You know I’d rather be here with you.’
Jack leaned over to brush Lizzie’s lips with the lightest of kisses, as they both struggled to part after the wonderful day together. ‘I know, my love. I’m just teasing. Honestly, I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you’ll be safe and out of reach of the blasted Boche.’
Lizzie lingered on the doorstep overlooking Regent’s Park until she saw Jack stop at the end of the road, when he waved and blew her a kiss before turning the corner and disappearing into the grey, foggy evening.