Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
‘ W e had a deal,’ Lizzie said, gazing at Jack as he lay on the picnic blanket, his legs stretched out, clutching a glass of wine.
Things had settled down at SOE following his return, and Lizzie was delighted when Jack suggested they have a picnic in the park before winter really set in. The weather favoured them today—the sky was blue, and rays of pale sunshine glinted on the surface of the Serpentine lake like a choreographed ballet.
Jack wanted Lizzie to see Hyde Park and so here they were enjoying sandwiches and wine he had organised, on a rare lazy Sunday afternoon.
‘What deal is that?’ he asked, arching one eyebrow.
Lizzie’s lips twitched as she challenged him. ‘It seems like another lifetime now, but not that long ago, you promised me if I made it back from France in one piece, you’d tell me the story of how you got involved with Military Intelligence. I’ve made it back twice now, so it’s time to honour your end of the bargain. ’
‘I don’t recall promising anything of the kind,’ Jack said, his face creasing into a smile.
‘Seriously? You don’t remember?’
‘I remember the conversation, but I don’t recall making any promises,’ he said, twirling and emptying his glass.
Lizzie poked him in the ribs.
‘Ouch.’ He rolled over and caught her hands so she couldn’t prod him anymore.
‘Aren’t you afraid someone from work will see us?’ Lizzie said, casting her eyes around the park when she stopped laughing.
He shook his head. ‘No, but if they do, they do. It’s unlikely, though, as long as we aren’t really obvious about it at the office. For an organisation of secret agents, they pay remarkably little attention to what’s happening right in front of them. And for another thing, SOE is mostly made up of workaholics, so it’s rare to see them leave the office, never mind strolling in the park.’
Lizzie laughed again. ‘That’s scathing.’
‘Scathing but true.’
‘Fair enough, but I know what you’re doing. You’re changing the subject, so you don’t have to reveal your spy secrets to me.’
‘Nonsense. You asked another question. I told you I am an open book. Ask me anything you like…’ His expression grew solemn, but she knew he was teasing her.
‘Alright, well if that’s true, tell me how Raven started out and how you became such a legend in Reims that they talk about you in hushed tones. Jeanne was so happy when you showed up—she had such confidence I would be fine once you were with me.’
‘And you were fine,’ Jack said.
‘Yes, you saved me from that soldier,’ Lizzie said. ‘I haven’t really thanked you properly. Everything happened so fast there was barely time. We raced from one emergency to another.’
‘No thanks necessary. That’s how it is when you’re in enemy territory. Life is in technicolour—emotions are heightened and everything moves faster than normal life.’
‘Because every day is like it might be the last?’ Lizzie said.
‘Yes, something like that. It’s exhilarating but terrifying too.’
‘Is that why we did what we did?’ Lizzie asked.
‘As in, what exactly?’
Lizzie contemplated the blanket, embarrassed but compelled to ask. ‘You know what I mean.’
‘You’ll have to spell it out for me,’ Jack said, brushing a lock of hair out of her eyes with his hand.
Lizzie blushed.
‘You’re adorable when you get embarrassed,’ he said.
‘No, I’m not. I hate it,’ she said, frowning until he laughed at how cross she looked.
The gap between them disappeared as Jack bent his head towards her. They kissed and soon they lost themselves in the moment as the world around them disappeared and all they could think about was being in each other’s arms.
When they pulled apart, Lizzie said, ‘Come on. Tell me about Raven. I’ve been dying to know ever since I first realised that is your codename.’
‘It’s a long story,’ Jack said.
‘And I’ve got all the time in the world,’ Lizzie said, her head resting against his shoulder as he stroked her hair.
‘Okay, well, I was very young when Val recruited me at Oxford—not much older than you. A child, really.’
‘I am not a child!’
Jack laughed again. ‘You’re so much fun to tease. It’s difficult to resist. ’
‘I’ve never been out with an older man before,’ Lizzie said, taunting him in return.
‘Touché. Lord, you make me sound like a bloody geriatric, though.’ He exploded into loud laughter and people glanced at them curiously, wondering what all the fuss was about.
Jack told Lizzie how he lived as a British agent undercover in various locations in France.
‘How did you meet Pierre? He said your father was his best friend?’
She saw a shadow fall across his face. ‘Yes, that’s right. I’ve known Pierre and Camille since I was a boy. We used to visit them often with the family. When the early rumbles of war threatened Europe, Military Intelligence posted me to Northern France. Reims was the obvious place for me to be based. I’ve been in and out so many times in the years leading up to the war, I’ve lost count.’
‘So that’s where you met Hannah?’
Jack nodded. ‘One evening I was in the city, monitoring a house where communists gathered, and I noticed her putting up anti-Nazi posters. I approached her, and we became friends and stayed in touch. Later, she became my first recruit for the Resistance.’
‘But what about your brother? When did they meet?’
‘It was the summer of 1937, as I recall. Henry came out to visit me and stayed at the farm with Pierre and Camille. Hannah came over one evening and Henry couldn’t take his eyes off her all night. The attraction was mutual, and it was love at first sight. If it weren’t for the war, I imagine they’d be married by now.’
Lizzie mused, ‘It’s tragic and beautiful all at once.’
‘Yes,’ Jack sighed. ‘And now you know why I feel such a responsibility to keep her safe.’
Dark clouds threatened rain, and they packed away their things and jumped on the Underground to Regent’s Park .
‘You escorting me home is becoming a habit,’ Lizzie said as they entered her street.
‘It is. And one I rather like,’ Jack said.
They walked, not holding hands, but rubbing arms as if they didn’t want to break their connection a second earlier they must. Lizzie stopped before they reached her door, just like the last time he walked her home.
Only this time, her door opened before they said goodbye.
‘There you are,’ Rose said. ‘I thought I heard your voice.’
Lizzie’s mother’s sudden appearance startled her, but she quickly recovered.
‘Hello, Ma. This is Jack King, my boss at the new job.’
‘Nice to meet you, Mr King. Thank you for seeing my daughter home.’ Rose’s smile was warm.
Lizzie shifted her weight from one foot to the other, wondering how to graciously avoid further discussion.
‘Please call me, Jack,’ he said, charming Rose with his easy manner. ‘It’s no problem at all. It was very good of her to be available on a Sunday, so it’s the least I could do.’
Lizzie thanked Jack and turned towards the door, desperate to end the awkward meeting and get her mother back into the house.
But that was not to be.
‘Would you care to join us for some tea?’ Rose said.
Lizzie was certain Jack would refuse, but he accepted her mother’s invitation without any hesitation. ‘I’d love to. How very kind,’ he said, following them into the house.
Lizzie’s cheeks burned. She hadn’t planned to introduce Jack to her family, and now she was thrown in the deep end. Juliet was out, but her father and Evie were at home and joined them in the drawing room for tea and cake.
‘This is delicious,’ Jack said, after Rose cut him a slice of jam sponge. ‘Nothing beats homemade cake. ’
Lizzie dared not look at him and sat ramrod straight at the table as her parents fell into conversation with Jack and talked about the latest war developments.
This was the last thing she had expected when a romantic relationship with another agent was forbidden. The cake stuck in her dry throat and her heart revved as she tried to act natural. Evie looked at her now and then and she saw the curiosity in her glance.
Finally, Jack stood to leave, and she walked him to the door. ‘What a fabulous family you have,’ he said, his voice low.
‘Thank you. I must admit, I did not expect you to meet them like this! You are full of surprises, Jack King.’
His touch on her cheek was brief but tender as they said goodbye. Lizzie wished she could kiss him but didn’t dare. She wouldn’t put it past Evie to spy on them through a crack in the door.
‘See you tomorrow,’ Lizzie whispered. ‘I loved our picnic.’
‘Me too.’
And then he was gone and for a minute she leant against the door, wondering if she’d dreamt the whole thing.
Jack King having afternoon tea with her family in her home.
‘Well, he is quite marvellous,’ her mother said the second Lizzie returned to the drawing room. ‘Where have you been hiding him?’
Lizzie fought against the blush creeping up her neck as they all stared at her like an interrogating committee. ‘I haven’t been hiding him, Ma. He’s my superior in my new job. There’s nothing to hide.’
‘You could do a lot worse,’ Rose said. ‘He’s so handsome and charming. Successful too, by the sounds of it.’
‘Ma! Whatever gave you such an idea? We have a working relationship, that’s all.’
‘Of course, of course,’ Rose said. ‘Silly me. I thought I saw him admiring you, and you seemed quite smitten, but I must be mistaken.’
Reginald had resumed reading the paper when Jack left, but he poked his head out from behind it. ‘He seems like a very good sort, but he’s obviously too old for Lizzie, so let’s hear no more about it.’
Rose said, ‘Oh, I don’t know. He’s older, yes, but not that much older. Young women grow up so much faster than young men. A mature man with a bit of life experience is no bad thing.’
Lizzie’s cheeks were flaming red, and she wished she could crawl under the table.
Her mother continued, ignoring Lizzie’s discomfort. ‘Mind you, the poor young lads these days are forced to grow up too quickly with the war.’
Lizzie jumped up to clear the table, eager for any excuse to get away from her mother’s scrutiny.
Evie immediately followed her into the kitchen empty-handed. ‘I saw you with him the other night,’ she whispered. ‘I saw you kissing!’
‘Evie, shush,’ Lizzie whispered. ‘What were you doing spying on me, anyway?’
‘I wasn’t spying. I got up for a drink of water and saw you out the window—kissing.’
‘Stop saying that, please!’
‘Are you going to marry him?’ she asked, a mischievous smile on her freckled face.
‘No, of course I’m not going to marry him. He’s my boss. And you’d better not say a word to Ma and Pa.’
‘Umm, what’s it worth?’ Evie asked, hand on hip.
‘Your life, little nosy madam. If you want to stay alive, you’d better keep it a secret!’
‘You’ll have to do better than that, Liz,’ Evie said. ‘I’m not scared of you. I’m not a little girl anymore. ’
Lizzie sighed. ‘Maybe not. But if you say one word about it, I’ll tell Ma and Pa about when I caught you kissing Snotty Johnny behind the bicycle shed at school.’
‘Eww. You wouldn’t dare!’
‘Try me,’ Lizzie said, glaring at her.
‘Spoilsport. I only wanted a bit of fun.’
‘Well, we’ll have a bit of fun at your expense then shall we, not mine?’
Evie flounced out the room, moaning under her breath.
Lizzie laughed out loud. Her baby sister was a handful, but she knew how to handle her.