The Oslo Affair

by CW Browning

  “Oh, hello miss!”

  “Hello, Fran,” Evelyn said, crossing over to the wardrobe. “How are you?”

  “Doing well, miss, thank you,” she answered, flushing slightly in pleasure. “It’s nice to have you back.”

  “Thank you! It’s nice to be back, even if it’s only for a few hours.” Evelyn threw open the wardrobe door and examined the evening gowns hanging there. “How’s your family? Everyone well?”

  “Yes, thank you for asking, miss.” Fran watched as Evelyn selected a gown of mauve silk. “Would you like me to help you dress?”

  “No, that’s all right, Fran,” Evelyn said, carrying the gown over to lay it across the coverlet on the bed. “I can manage. When I’ve finished, could you take this uniform and clean it? I’m afraid it has soot all down it from the train. I’ll need it again to travel on Boxing Day.”

  “Of course, miss. I’ll just take this case away and store it for you.”

  Fran closed the empty suitcase and lifted it off the chair, turning to go quietly out of the room. Evelyn watched her go, wondering how long the maid would remain at Ainsworth Manor. She’d been with them for a few years, but Evelyn knew that many servants were joining up to do their part in the war. It was inevitable that Fran would want to do the same. While she would miss her attention to detail, Evelyn wouldn’t be surprised to see her go.

  She changed quickly, stepping into the elegant evening dress and pulling it up over her shoulders before reaching behind to do up the zipper. The dress was one she had purchased in Paris over the summer. She’d only worn it twice, but it was one of her favorites. On both occasions, Evelyn had received multiple compliments, which is precisely why she’d chosen it tonight. She wanted to look her best for Miles. If she only had a short time to make an impression, she had to start immediately.

  Turning to look at herself critically in the full length mirror, Evelyn smoothed the shimmering fabric over her hips and tilted her head. The dress fell to the floor in graceful lines, clinging to her figure and transforming her from a WAAF into the wealthy heiress that she was. In an instant, she went from the intelligence agent posing as an Assistant Section Officer to a socialite about to join her family for dinner. Once she added her jewels and ran a brush through her hair, the image would be complete.

  Her lips twisted as she surveyed herself for a moment. Which one was the real Evelyn Ainsworth? The woman in a false uniform? Or the heiress in a gown?

  Turning away from the glass, she went over to the tall chest that held her jewelry. The question a silly one. She was both, but tonight she would embrace the heiress. That was what was expected of her, and it was who she was as soon as she stepped into her family home. As she selected a necklace, a brief and unusual flash of clarity sharpened that thought and made her pause.

  She had to separate the two, the intelligence agent and the heiress, and keep them separate if she were to survive this war without losing herself completely. It really was that simple.

  Evelyn lifted a diamond necklace from the jewelry chest and turned to cross over to her dressing table. She seated herself before the mirror and fastened the glittering strand around her neck. When she was in England, she would cling to the life she’d always known and set aside the stranger she’d become overseas. Perhaps then she would remember why she’d embarked on this road to begin with. For, though she couldn’t pretend to know what the future held for her, Evelyn was sure of one thing: it wasn’t going to be easy, and she knew without a doubt that she would need something to hold onto in the months to come.

  And that something was going to have to be herself.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Evelyn sipped her tea in the bright sunlight, squinting as she looked out over the south lawn. It was brisk and cold, but the sun was beginning to share its warmth across the countryside as the new day stirred. Rob wasn’t down yet, and neither was her mother, leaving her to enjoy the start of Christmas in quiet solitude.

  She shivered and burrowed deeper into her coat. The wind blew and whisked at her hair, pulling strands from her pins and causing her ears and nose to turn red with cold. She didn’t mind. She needed to feel the crisp cold air and listen to the wonderful silence. No sound of military trucks heading out to airfields, or chatter of enlisted men and women hurrying to the mess for breakfast, marred the peace as she sipped her tea. No sound of footsteps following her down a dark, city street as she made her way back to her lodgings.

  Evelyn stared out over the frost covered lawns. Was she even strong enough to make it through this war? She had committed herself to her country, and thousands of young men and women were counting on her to bring back information that would help them defeat the enemy. Hundreds of pilots like Rob and Miles were depending on advance warning of attack to give them an edge in the inevitable air battle that would precede any invasion attempt by Hitler. They may not know it, but the intelligence she gathered could save their lives.

  And it could make her forfeit hers if she was ever caught. And, if they failed and England lost this war, she would be one of the first ones executed by the Germans.

  “Good morning,” a voice said behind her and Evelyn turned in surprise to watch Miles step out onto the terrace.

  “Good morning!”

  “You look surprised to see me,” he said with a grin, crossing the flagged stones towards her with a steaming cup of tea in his hands.

  “I suppose I thought you’d sleep the morning away like Robbie,” she said with a sheepish laugh. “God knows you deserve to.”

  “The training isn’t as stressful as you think,” he said with a shrug, joining her at the balustrade. “We’re used to it now. And I’ve always been an early riser.”

  “So have I.” She smiled at him. “Happy Christmas.”

  He looked down at her and smiled warmly, his eyes creasing at the edges and his green eyes glinting in the sunlight.

  “Happy Christmas.”

  They were quiet, sipping their tea and looking out over the morning in companionable silence.

  “It hardly seems possible that it’s Christmas already,” he said suddenly. “I feel as though it was just yesterday that I crashed your dinner with Rob at the Savoy.”

  Evelyn thought over the two months since that night and marveled herself at how quickly the time had gone by. It seemed like just yesterday that she was fleeing Herr Renner in Sweden, yet it had been over a month since she’d returned to England.

  “And are you glad you crashed dinner?” she asked, glancing up at him with a grin.

  His eyes met hers. “Every day.”

  She laughed and his eyes dropped to the scarf tied carelessly around her throat. The sunlight caught a silver piece of metal in its folds and his lips curved into a smile.

  “I see you got my present.”

  Evelyn lifted her hand to touch the small brooch and smiled. The silver had been twisted into a reproduction of a Spitfire, creating a unique and charming piece of jewelry.

  “I did, and I believe I wrote a very nice thank you letter at the time,” she said.

  Miles grinned. “So you did. An air sergeant at the base makes those for all the pilot’s girls. He’s very talented. He did an exceptionally nice job on that one.”

  “Yes, he did. It’s lovely.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  Their eyes met and Evelyn felt something stir deep inside her, a feeling of contentment. She dropped her eyes away from his in consternation and swallowed the last bit of tea left in her cup.

  “I think I’m off for a walk,” she said, turning towards the house with her empty cup.

  “A walk?” he repeated, gulping down the last of his tea and following.

  “Yes. There’s nothing better than a nice, brisk walk in the morning to start the day.”

  Miles nodded wisely, his eyes twinkling.

  “You sound just like my nanny when I was a boy. Only her walks consisted of near hikes around the countryside until I thought I should die.”
/>
  Evelyn laughed. “I don’t hike.”

  “In that case, then I think I’ll join you,” he said as they went through the parlor. “If you don’t mind, of course.”

  “I’d like that.”

  They crossed the hall and left their cups in the dining room where breakfast would be set out, then went out the front door, walking in silence until they reached the west meadow. Finally, Evelyn glanced at Miles.

  “How’s the Polish coming along?”

  He burst out laughing. “HQ gave up on that venture, thank God. It really was a bit much.”

  “I wouldn’t have known Swedish from Polish,” she admitted. “I’m surprised you did.”

  He looked at her, surprised. “I thought you were a linguistic prodigy.” He grinned when she looked surprised. “Rob told me. He said you speak just about every language there is.”

  “That’s a gross exaggeration. I only speak a handful, and Polish and Swedish are not among them.”

  “What do you speak then?”

  “Oh, the usual. French, Italian, German...some Russian.”

  He choked. “The usual? Russian is usual?”

  She twinkled up at him. “No. That was just for fun.”

  “Oh, of course. For fun.” He was laughing at her, and she couldn’t help laughing with him. “But you don’t know Swedish from Polish?”

  “Well, since you’re making such a point of it, I’ll learn both just to make you happy.”

  He laughed. “It doesn’t make a bit of difference to me,” he told her. “I think you’re fascinating as you are. And I, happily, do know some Swedish, so I can translate for you should the need ever arise.”

  Evelyn swallowed. “I’ll remember that,” she said in a choked voice. “If you’re no longer being made to learn Swedish, whatever do you do to keep busy when you’re not flying?”

  “Oh, we’re learning aircraft recognition now. Too many pilots can’t tell the difference between ours and theirs.”

  “And you?”

  “Of course I can tell the difference,” he retorted. “But it’s downright depressing how many of our pilots will be shooting down Blenheims and Hurricanes if they don’t crack down and learn.”

  They walked in silence for a moment, then Evelyn sighed.

  “It’s funny how this Phony War is acting to our advantage,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s giving us time to train and prepare. Perhaps it’s Hitler’s biggest mistake yet.”

  “Hitler’s biggest mistake was invading Poland,” Miles said. “He’s got to be barmy to think he can take on Britain and France like this.”

  Evelyn frowned thoughtfully. “I’m not dismissing him that quickly. He wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t think he could win.”

  Miles raised an eyebrow. “You think he’s more prepared than we’ve been led to believe?”

  She thought of the latest reports of Luftwaffe aircraft production that she’d seen last week and her lips tightened.

  “I’m just saying it’s possible,” she said. Then, catching his sharp look, she smiled. “But enough talk about that. Tell me about the American.”

  He blinked. “The Yank?”

  “Yes. I think it’s fantastic that you have an American in the squadron. How’s he getting on?”

  “Cool as you please,” Miles said with a shrug. “He gets quite a lot of ribbing thrown his way, but he takes it all in part. Jolly good flier.”

  “I suppose he must be to land his plane with no wheels. I hope I can meet him one day. I’ve never met an American before.”

  “Oh, they’re very much like us, you know,” he drawled. “Two legs, two arms...only one head.”

  She laughed. “Imagine that! I was expecting at least two.”

  “He’s actually keen to meet you as well,” he said after a moment. At her look of surprise, he grinned. “He was with me when I was reading one of your letters. Asked who it was from. Now he wants to see you for himself. He’s convinced you have three chins with a wart on every one.”

  Evelyn gaped at him, horrified. “What on earth did you tell him?!”

  “It’s the name, you see,” he told her apologetically. “Assistant Section Officer Ainsworth does sound a trifle militant.”

  “Well I hope you set him straight.”

  He nodded complacently.

  “I did. I told him that you had four chins, but only two warts. He was quite impressed.”

  “You’re horrid!”

  “And you’re beautiful,” he countered with a wink. “I’ll race you to the next hedgerow.”

  “Pardon?”

  Evelyn was surprised out of her calm, but it was too late. Miles was already running towards the line of hedges in the distance. After a second of stunned disbelief, a laugh bubbled out of her and she took off after him in the morning mist, catching up with him a moment later. He turned and grabbed her hand and Evelyn found herself tearing through the grass, his fingers firmly around hers. The war faded behind them and, in that moment, she felt free.

  It was an exhilarating feeling.

  Evelyn looked up as a knock preceded her bedroom door opening. Rob poked his head in and, upon spotting her seated at the writing desk near her window, his shoulders and torso followed.

  “Here you are,” he said, closing the door. “I’ve been searching for you. I haven’t had two minutes alone with you since you arrived.”

  She set down her pen and turned to face him, her lips curving.

  “I didn’t know you wanted two minutes alone with me. You’re not going to bore me with warnings about Miles, are you?”

  Rob laughed and threw himself across the foot of her bed.

  “Good Lord no. You can take care of yourself. Besides, Miles is a good old egg.” He lounged on his elbow and tilted his head to look at her. “Do you like him?”

  “Of course I do. What’s not to like?”

  “You know what I mean, Evie. Don’t play dumb.”

  She hesitated for a second, then sighed. “It doesn’t matter who I like or don’t like, Robbie. It’s impossible to think about anything other than the war right now.”

  “That’s a load of nonsense and you know it,” he said without heat. “What’s the war got to do with anything?”

  “Well I can’t very well make plans for a future when I don’t know what that future holds, can I?” she protested.

  Her brother rolled his eyes and then flopped onto his back, staring up at the ceiling.

  “I never can understand the way your mind works,” he muttered. “Everyone’s rushing to get married precisely because they don’t know what the future holds. You’re the only one thinking the other way. You’ve always been like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “Marching to the beat of your own drum.” He paused and turned his head to look at her. “I’ll tell you this, though: Miles is a good choice if you ever do decide to stop breaking hearts all over Europe. He comes from good stock, and he’s not bad looking either.”

  “You make him sound like a horse.”

  He grinned. “I’m just pointing out facts. You can’t just settle for anyone, y’know. There are standards we have the maintain.”

  “And Miles is acceptable,” she finished. “You know Robbie, you’re really starting to sound like a pompous old man.”

  “Well as the head of this family now,” he began, attempting to lower his voice condescendingly. He caught sight of her face and burst out laughing. “Good God, I can’t even say that with a straight face.”

  He sat up and swung his legs over the foot of the bed to face her.

  “I just want you to be happy, Evie, and I can see that Miles does that.”

  Evelyn smiled at him fondly. “I know you do, dearest. But you really must stay out of it. I don’t know how I feel, and I’m sure he doesn’t either. This is only the third time we’ve seen each other, really. Let us get to know each other before you have me married and pushing out babies.”

  Rob looked horrified. “Who
said anything about babies?”

  She laughed at the look on his face. “They do tend to happen, Robbie.”

  He shuddered dramatically. “Horrible thought!” Then, sobering, he cleared his throat. “I actually didn’t intend to talk about Miles at all.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What then?”

  “I’m worried,” he said seriously, leaning his elbows on his knees and dangling his hands between them. “I don’t like both of us being so far away from Mum.”

  “Because of Dad, you mean?” Evelyn asked, her brows creasing in a frown. “I think she’s doing all right. It’s difficult, I’m sure, but she seems in good spirits.”

  “It’s not Dad, although that did worry me at first,” he said slowly. “It’s the fact that this house is so far away from everything. If anything were to happen...”

  Her frown grew as his voice trailed off and her eyes narrowed.

  “What is it, Robbie? Has something happened?”

  “Something has, yes.” He got up restlessly and felt about his pockets. “You haven’t got any cigarettes in here, have you?”

  She got up and went to her purse, pulling out a case and tossing it to him.

  “Cheers.” He pulled out a cigarette. “There was a break-in last month.”

  Evelyn stared at him, a surge of shock going through her. “What?!”

  He nodded glumly and looked around. “Any matches? I seem to have left my lighter somewhere.”

  She shook her head and crossed to the desk, opening the drawer and extracting a box of matches.

  “When? What happened?” she demanded, handing him the matches.

  “Someone forced the window in the study. Thomas saw a light in the middle of night and went to turn it off. The next day he saw the window had been forced.”

  Evelyn dropped into her seat, staring at him.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” she asked. “When did this happen? What was taken?”

  “I suppose Mum didn’t want to worry you,” he said, lighting his cigarette. He shook out the match and walked over to open the bedroom window. He tossed it out and blew smoke outside. “I didn’t think to write you about it, to be honest. It happened in the beginning of November. Nothing was taken. In fact, Thomas and the servants couldn’t find anything out of place anywhere.”