‘Wow, this is lovely.’ Sibbie gazed out of the window of the military bus that had picked them up at the station and brought them to the New Forest. Trees, tall and majestic, allowed the low winter sun to filter through the branches in rays that caused hazy shadows and lacy patterns to splash across the green banks lining the road.
They were on the way to a part of Lord Montagu’s estate that housed five different security departments. Their briefing had told them that each department would cover topics such as agent technique, clandestine life, personal security, communication in the field, how to maintain a cover story and how to act under police surveillance. All of which would have terrified Sibbie a few weeks back, but for which she now felt equipped.
‘It reminds me so much of the forests at home.’
There was a wistful note in Marjie’s voice. Many times, over the last few weeks, she had broken down, her worries for the safety of her parents and brothers almost consuming her, but Sibbie had learned that Marjie had an inner strength that she could call upon to get her through these times, and she knew that their tutors had all recognized this quality in her.
‘Marjie, I’ve been thinking: why don’t we ask permission to make a telephone call? Given the circumstances, I think it would be granted.’
‘No! Sibbie, haven’t you realized how fatal it would be to admit any form of weakness or need? We have to cope with whatever is thrown at us. It is only to you that I can unravel now and again. But you must never think to seek help for me.’
This shocked Sibbie and was another valuable lesson that she learned. Of course they had to forget everyday life and remain focused on their one objective. Right now, that was to fully equip themselves with all the skills they would need. ‘I won’t – sorry, Marjie. I didn’t mean to add to your worries. I won’t speak of it again. You’ve made me see that trying to help our family in any way, or even contact them, would be a mistake. But I am here for you. In our private moments with me, you can give in to your feelings. It helps me, too, as I am worried for Aunt Flors and for all of them.’
Marjie’s hand came into hers, and Sibbie felt reassured that the moment had passed and that they had an understanding that would stand them in good stead. Yes, they would have times in the future when they simply wanted to give in and seek help, but she now realized they must never do that, but instead must carry on and find a way out of all they had to face.
Two week later, this lesson really hit home.
They had been taught things they’d never dreamed they would have to learn: how to pick a lock, although it was more manipulating a lock back, using a protractor, than what she thought burglars did – pick a lock with a hairpin or something. And how to communicate in code: ways that made the code that Aunt Flors had devised seem like child’s play. And how to take an impression of a key: just a matter of carrying a matchbox full of plasticine.
Other skills had involved disguising themselves, and it wasn’t by wearing a wig, but by simple methods of changing what people noticed most about you – whether you wore glasses or not, how you wore your hair, and even how you walked. And adding a scar to your face, using special make-up. Such changes made an amazing difference to you being instantly recognized.
The easiest bit for them both was learning their cover story, as this entailed many things they already knew about France. The only gaps in their knowledge were recent changes – wartime measures, such as how sugar rationing worked in France, and information on curfews that were in place.
And now they were both to be tested.
They were to work together under the warning that, despite all they had achieved, fail in this and they wouldn’t be sent out ‘in the field’ – the expression used for an agent being given an assignment.
They were to be dropped off in London, with a map and very few clues. The person they were to make contact with was given the name of Ted Brown; other than that, they had his last-known address and his line of work – a butcher. His story was that he was running a branch of the underground and would be valuable to them.
‘Let’s treat it like a game, Sibbie. See who can unearth the most clues about our Mr Brown.’
When they tracked him down, they found that Mr Brown was being kept prisoner. The last time he’d been seen he was being taken into a flat above a shop. They decided they would wait until nightfall and then break into the shop and rescue him. They only had hours left to report that they had made contact.
All was going well. Sibbie had managed to ‘pick the lock’ and they were inside the shop. Using torches, they found their way to a door that looked likely to lead upstairs, when suddenly the ringing of bells, indicating that a police car was approaching, had them standing like statues, unsure whether to run or to continue their mission.
‘What if these were Germans coming after us – what would we do?’ Marjie’s voice shook as she asked Sibbie.
‘Run. Run as fast as we can and try to outwit them, and of course fire our guns at them, but we can hardly do that here.’
‘Not unless we do it as we did when practising . . . Bang, bang!’
Sibbie muffled the laugh that wanted to burst out of her. That Marjie could make her laugh at such a time boded well. For at this moment they were in a sticky situation.
‘We could call in. We have an emergency number, and HQ will explain to the police.’
‘No, Marjie. I think this is part of the test. Come on, they’re getting nearer.’
Both girls shot out of the door, almost tripping each other over. Running like the wind, they made it to the end of the street before the police pulled up outside the shop.
‘The Germans won’t warn us by ringing a bell, you know.’
‘Yes, I heard they were mean like that.’
‘Oh, Marjie, stop it. This is serious!’ Despite Sibbie’s mock reprimand, they giggled, as much from relief at not being caught as anything else.
‘We still haven’t made contact. Shall we hang around and see if the police leave, when they see they haven’t caught anyone red-handed?’
Before she had time to say yes or no, Marjie came up with a good plan. ‘I know, let’s walk along the street as if we are going about our normal business. We can say we know the man who lives there, and would the police see if he is all right?’
‘Brilliant. Right, best foot forward, and charm to the ready.’
Sibbie couldn’t believe how well it all went, and how easily they got to speak to Mr Brown. One of the policemen believed them and knocked heavily on the door that Sibbie and Marjie thought led to the flat upstairs. Without waiting for a reply, the policeman opened the door and shouted, ‘Is there a Ted Brown there? Are you unharmed?’
A man came down the stairs. The girls looked at each other, as he didn’t fit the scant description they’d had. But Marjie wasn’t going to be put off. ‘Where’s Ted?’ And then, with a stroke of genius, she used the code-words they had been given: ‘fallen apples’. ‘Ted, are you up there? My mum has told me to call in and tell you that she has some fallen apples for you.’
Sibbie felt like jumping for joy when a voice called out, ‘Yes, I’ll be down in a minute.’
They’d done it! The feeling she had, Sibbie knew Marjie had too, as her face beamed.
‘Ted’ came down the stairs, smiling. He nodded at them both, but didn’t speak. The other man pulled out a card and showed it to the policeman as he ushered him towards the front door and went outside with him.
When he came back in, he was alone. ‘I explained to the police what was going on and who you were, and that they had no need to look for anyone else in connection with a burglary. Well done, girls. You will do your country proud. I’m Captain David Howkins, by the way.’
Both girls stood to attention and saluted.
‘Stand at ease. Now, what are your names?’
‘I’m Sibilia Charvet, sir.’ Sibbie had chosen to use Montel’s surname as her cover name, and she’d been told to use a similar name to her forename, so that Marjie didn’t get mixed up and could still call her ‘Sibbie’. Marjie had chosen Margarita, for the same reason, and her surname because it rhymed with Hérault, where she was born, and would be easy for her to remember. ‘And this is Margarita Barrault.’
‘Excellent. I really hoped that you wouldn’t break your cover and fail at the last hurdle. Look, I’ll get clearance from your commanding officer – you can listen in, if you like, so that you are sure – but we would really love to take you to dinner. You can’t have had any fun since being dumped here. Where have you been staying?’
Sibbie felt unsure, and she could see Marjie did, too.
‘Ha! You two are tip-top. Come, let’s talk to your commanding officer and then we’ll report to Baker Street and let them know how you passed with flying colours. Then you can relax and not feel as though we are trying to trick you.’
Sibbie looked at Marjie and saw that she was blushing. Her eyes were fixed on Captain William Parsons, and his eyes on her. Sibbie looked from one to the other, before answering, ‘I think that is a good idea, sir.’
Captain Howkins smiled and nodded knowingly. ‘I think someone has been struck by lightning, don’t you?’
‘I do, sir.’
They both laughed, bringing William and Marjie out of their near-stupor, to join in with them.
Sibbie would have said that Captain Howkins was the handsome one of the pair, but then he had dark good looks and she’d always been drawn to them – look at her Paulo, the most handsome man in the world, and he had very black hair and eyes.
Fair-haired and blue-eyed, William’s features were very precise, making him good-looking rather than handsome. He wasn’t as tall as Captain Howkins, but somehow had an elegance about him.
After the phone call was made, all four jumped in a taxi to Baker Street. The congratulations there were wonderful – a real recognition of the way Sibbie and Marjie had both applied the skills they had learned. A short interview, during which they were spoken to in French and then in German, concluded the proceedings.
‘Well, Captain Howkins, I think you can release these two to their parachute training, and then it will be back to London to await their assignment. Good luck, Officer Roford and Officer Harpinham. First-class work.’
Once outside, arrangements were made for them to be picked up at their hotel – a small, nondescript bed-and-breakfast off Shepherds Bush Road. ‘Just send a taxi – we are known there as two French girls, who were at school here and are trapped in England. We aren’t meant to know anyone, and speak mostly in broken English. They would think it funny if two British captains came to pick us up.’
‘Good thinking, Harpinham. Look, may we become less formal? May I call you Marjella and Sybil?’
‘No, you may not, William! I’m Marjie and Sybil is Sibbie.’
William laughed. ‘In that case, I’m Wills. But David is David, I’m afraid. “Dave” just doesn’t suit him.’
Marjie laughed as she looked up into Wills’s eyes. Sibbie sighed, as she could see heartache ahead for them both.
Sibbie and Marjie had been lucky to find a dress shop on Shepherds Bush Road, and each had found an outfit. Both chose warm woollen costumes, because the weather, now that Christmas was approaching, was icy cold. Sibbie’s was charcoal-grey. It had a pencil skirt and a fitted jacket that fell just below her waist. The collar and lapels were edged with black braiding, and there was a thin leather belt to accentuate the waist. She teamed this with a pink silk blouse and a small black, beret-type hat.
Marjie chose a rust-brown costume that also had braiding around the collar and box jacket in a chocolate-brown. The skirt flared very slightly, her blouse was a rich cream colour and her hat was a jaunty affair, with a slanting brim decorated with a rose fashioned out of the same felt as the hat.
Their best find, though, was that the lady owner of the shop offered them some silk stockings – a rarity these days. The stockings didn’t only look glamorous, with the lovely sheen they had, but were warming, too. When it came to their shoes, they had to compromise as there were very few available, but they did find some brogues that didn’t look too schoolmarmish and settled for those.
‘Well, that’s us ready for the ball, Cinders.’
‘You look lovely, Sibbie. But, well . . . I’m not sure about me—’
‘You look beautiful, darling Marjie. Stunning. That colour really suits you; it brings out the lovely Mediterranean glow that your skin has – slightly tanned and creamy. I do envy you. And Wills is going to be bowled over.’
‘Do you really think so? He’s so handsome, Sibbie. I felt really funny when he looked at me, as if he was drawing me into his soul.’
‘It’s called falling in love, and anyone could see that it was happening to him, too. I’m so happy for you, Marjie; but sad, too. I don’t think it will be long before we are sent on a mission and you’ll have so little time to woo your man.’
‘I know, but if it is meant to be, it will stand the test of time. Nothing is going to stop me helping my country.’
‘Well, let’s forget all of that for one evening and have a good time. Though I wish it was Paulo taking me to dinner.’
‘It will be, one day. And you’re right. Let’s paint the town red with two handsome men by our side. I’m so looking forward to this evening.’
‘I’m looking forward to a decent meal, more than anything.’
Marjie laughed at this, and the sound warmed Sibbie. ‘You and your food, and yet you don’t put on an ounce of weight. I can gain weight easily, and I have to be careful. Now, just check the seams on my stockings are straight, Sibbie.’
‘Yes, they’re perfectly straight,’ Sibbie said as she stood behind Marjie. ‘And I envy you your legs – they’re perfect.’
‘And so are yours, Sibbie. Look at how slim your ankles are, and very elegant. Turn round and let me check your seams.’ Marjie had to make a little adjustment to straighten Sibbie’s stockings, but was very gentle, so as not to snag the delicate fabric. ‘Voila! We shall go to the ball.’ Giggling like two girls let out of the school gate, they ran down the stairs to the waiting taxi.
Although most of the city was broken, Sibbie saw what Daisy had told her about – that the spirit of London was very much alive, and fun could be had behind blacked-out windows. The restaurant was one being run in a cellar. The owners had once owned a plush place on the edge of the West End, but had been bombed out. The way they’d turned this basement into the glamorous venue it had become was nothing short of a miracle, because getting hold of materials and labour was very difficult. Huge chandeliers reigned over plush gold-velvet furnishings and mahogany furniture. A thick ruby-red carpet covered all but a small dance floor. Music greeted them as a five-piece band sat on a raised area in front of the dance floor, playing popular songs. It was all wonderful, and Sibbie felt transported to another world.
The good food, fine wine, laughter and dancing were spoilt only by the absence of Paulo, although seeing Marjie so happy, dancing closely with Wills, made up a little for that.
David, too, was missing his fiancée. Sibbie got into a deep conversation with him and told him about Paulo, then listened as David related to her how his plans of marriage were on hold for the duration of the war. The whole evening was turning out to be a release from everything going on in the wide world outside.
They learned that David and Wills had been out in the field on missions and were ‘resting’ for a while. ‘We enjoy helping in the training of others now. But we both want to go back out. Whether that will happen depends on whether they can get us safely undercover again. Our cover was blown by a traitor, and we had a hair-raising escape. Beware of everyone when you are in the field, Sibbie. Even those you most trust can be your enemy.’
‘I’m sorry that happened to you. I suppose it isn’t easy to decipher who is genuine and who isn’t, at such times as we live in. But you have to trust some people, because you can’t work alone.’
‘If I go out again, I would keep vital information close to my chest until such time as it is needed. It can be done. If you get an order to derail a certain train, gather your team and tell them to be at a certain place at a certain time – but not the assignment place. Tell them what to bring, and that’s it. Do all the planning for the mission yourself. Then instruct them only when you are all together, ready to go. Then none of them can send messages to anyone – it’s something they should have taught us on the curriculum. Wills and I are working on various things that should be included, and there is to be a new set-up for the training very soon. A shorter version, as a lot of what they teach isn’t needed. Anyway, no more talk of business.’
David seemed sad as he said this, and Sibbie gathered that whatever had happened to him and Wills still lived with him. She could imagine what the fear felt like: to have your mission known to the enemy and have them lying in wait for you. She so wanted to know how they escaped, but knew from his expression that he no longer wanted to talk about it.
What he’d said so far had brought home to her just how dangerous it was working amongst the enemy, trying to sabotage their work and maintaining your cover and secrecy. But she felt ready.
Marjie broke into her thoughts. ‘Sibbie, I am going for a walk with Wills. I’ll see you back at the hotel.’
Sibbie stood and hugged Marjie. In her ear she whispered, ‘Stay out as long as you want – don’t worry about me. We have so little time.’
Marjie pulled back and looked deeply into Sibbie’s eyes. ‘Oh, Sibbie, I’m on cloud nine, and I’m not going to let anything spoil that.’
‘I’m glad.’
They hugged again and Marjie was gone. Sibbie hoped, with all her heart, that this was the start of something wonderful for Marjie, and that the war didn’t change that.
‘They certainly both seem to have found their soulmate. I’ve never known Wills to be like this with a girl before. He has girls forced upon him by over-eager mothers looking for a good match all the time, but he hates the whole business. Such things come with being the son of a lord, but Wills avoids debutantes like the plague. What’s Marjie like?’
‘A lord! Well, I can’t say I am surprised. I think it shows. I knew, from first talking to him, that Wills was different in some way – just a sort of air that he has about him. Anyway, you have no need to worry, as Marjie is a beautiful person.’
‘Good, I’m glad, as he deserves only the best. Now, you look tired. It’s been a lovely night – a distraction. I’ll see you back to your hotel. And, Sibbie, good luck for the future. I sincerely hope our lives cross again, but as long as I’m office-bound, I will be watching your progress.’
Marjie walked hand-in-hand with Wills. The pavements were icy and the air so cold it chilled them to the bone, but she didn’t care. How this had happened to her so quickly she couldn’t imagine, but it had, and her heart was heavy with the thought of them having so little time together.
‘Marjie, I’m afraid for you. It isn’t easy in the field. Please don’t take any chances.’
‘The nature of the work is all about chances, as I understand it, Wills. I have been trained. Try not to worry.’
He stopped walking and pulled her round to face him. ‘I can’t bear to lose you, Marjie. I know it was only today that we met, but I feel as though you are the completion of my life.’
She was looking up into Wills’s eyes, and although the darkness prevented her from seeing him properly, the small amount of moonlight captured the lovely depth in his look.
‘Oh, Marjie, I can’t understand what is happening. I’ve never felt this way before.’
‘Nor me. Not that I have had any boyfriends before . . . Oh, I – I didn’t mean that. I . . . I mean—’
‘I am your boyfriend. At least, I want to be. Will you have me as that, Marjie?’
‘I will. Oh, Wills, I will.’
‘And although it will be difficult, will you write to me occasionally?’
A deep sadness entered Marjie. Why – why did this happen now? She had been so ready. Ready to take on anything asked of her. Now she didn’t ever want to leave London and Wills’s side.
He didn’t speak again, but took her chin in his hand and bent his head towards her. The moment she’d ached for all evening was upon her. When his lips touched hers, Marjie melted into his body. The kiss consumed her, taking her to a place where her body floated, and her heart filled her chest. Wills’s muttered ‘I love you’, as he came out of the kiss, completed her world.
‘I love you, Wills. I don’t know how, or why, but I do.’
Wills chuckled as he pulled her into him and cuddled her in his arms. ‘The how is out of our control, darling Marjie; and the why is something that I am mystified by. But I am so happy that it really doesn’t matter.’
Marjie wanted never to come out of his arms.
‘Will you spend Christmas with me, Marjie? I mean, really with me? You will have orders tomorrow, accompanied by train tickets to Manchester for your parachute training. But that should finish before Christmas. I can pick up you and Sibbie and take you to my father’s apartment in Mayfair. I can arrange for it to be decorated before then, and for a Christmas dinner to be ready for us – well, of sorts, depending upon what Cook can source, which is usually surprisingly good fare. Please say “yes”, darling.’
‘Yes. Yes, I will. I’ll look forward to it, and it will get me through what is the most frightening training of all to me.’
‘Don’t be afraid – parachuting is easy, I promise. I am afraid of heights, and I got through it. I closed my eyes and jumped . . . Oh, my dear, you’re shivering. You really are afraid.’
‘Afraid, yes, but it won’t stop me. I too will close my eyes and jump.’ To demonstrate she jumped off the step. ‘Just like that.’
Wills laughed out loud. A window opened above. ‘Who’s there? Clear off! First night’s sleep in a long while, and I get a couple of idiots on me doorstep. Clear off or you’ll get me piddle-pot all over yer.’
Marjie giggled. Wills caught hold of her hand and ran with her. By the time they reached her hotel they were out of breath, but still laughing – until Wills caught hold of her again and pulled her to him once more. His lips met hers and she was lost. Coming out of the kiss, Wills said, ‘I’ve fallen in love – me, a confirmed bachelor! Ha! And it feels wonderful. Oh, Marjie, I can’t believe that you feel the same way for me.’
Marjie laughed with him, a happy laughter that showed her joy. ‘I do. I felt it the moment you looked into my eyes when we met. I can’t explain it, but . . .’
‘Don’t even try, my darling. Just let it happen.’
He called me his darling. Can this really be true? Can love happen to us as suddenly as this?
Melting into his kiss, Marjie knew that it could, and had. She loved Wills with all that she was. Another thought entered her head. Why now? Why did we find each other when we have to part and go on to face such danger that we may never see each other again? I can’t bear it – I can’t.
‘We have such a short time together, Marjie. I can’t wait until Christmas. I want you by my side forever, from right now.’
Calling on all the strength she had, Marjie held him close. ‘Our future is on hold, Wills, but I know our bond will get stronger, even when we are apart. Over Christmas we will make memories to sustain us, and then one day we will be together again. We must hang on to that.’
They clung together. Marjie never wanted Wills to let her go. But these days life was full of bittersweet partings, and their life was to be no different.