by CW Browning
Erik lowered his rifle, Philip and Evelyn following suit.
“My apologies,” Erik said. “We ran into some German troops yesterday and it’s left us nervous.”
“Germans? Where?”
“Near Steinkjer.”
“Ah. We’d heard they were moving north from Trondheim.” The man nodded and moved forward, holding out his hand. “My name is Jørgen.”
“I am Premierløitnant Erik Salvesen, and this is Sekondløitnant Philip Andersen,” Erik said, shaking his hand. “This is my sister Anna, and her friend Marlene.”
Jørgen nodded to them. “It’s a very cold night to be out, and more snow is on the way. Where are you headed?”
“Namsos, but we won’t make it tonight. We were going to look for somewhere to take shelter in the hills.”
Jørgen scratched his neck under his chin, looking at them thoughtfully.
“Not likely to find much up there,” he finally said. “Most of the old homesteads up there were torn down years ago to make way for the logging. How long have you been on the road?”
“Since early this morning.”
He shook his head. “You must be near to frozen. I’ve got some room. Not much, mind you, but enough. If you don’t mind the floor, you’d be quite welcome.”
Erik glanced at Anna and Evelyn, then looked back at Jørgen. “I thank you. We’ll be on our way at first light.”
The man waved his hand dismissively. “My son is away and won’t be back until Monday. It is only me in the house, so the company will be welcome. Come.”
He turned and motioned for them to follow him and Evelyn looked at Anna, relief flooding through her at the prospect of imminent warmth. Anna smiled and hooked her arm through hers as they followed the men.
“Perhaps this is a sign that things are looking up,” she said, leaning against her tiredly. “We just might make it after all.”
Evelyn looked up as Erik sat beside her at the wooden table. She had Peder’s radio open in front of her and had been tinkering with it for the past fifteen minutes trying to make it work, all to no avail.
“No luck?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I think it must have been damaged, perhaps when he was shot and it fell. It powers on, but the switch isn’t working. I can’t search for a frequency.”
“So you have no way of contacting London,” he said in a low voice.
“No.”
Erik stared at the radio pensively for a moment. “Kristian would be able to fix it,” he said. “His is just like this. They built them together, you know, while we were in school. Over the years, they added and changed things, made what they called upgrades, but they’re still essentially the same machines.”
“But Kristian is in Drammen,” she said, “so that is of no help to me now.”
Erik glanced at her. “What do you want to do? Do we continue to Namsos?”
“Yes. I have to assume everything is still the same. If I get there and find otherwise, then that’s another problem I’ll face then.”
“Peder gave you the radio. Will you take it with you?”
Evelyn looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead, to be honest,” she admitted. “I don’t think I really thought we’d make it this far. Jørgen says that Namsos is only about an hour walk from here.”
“Yes, provided the Germans haven’t destroyed the bridge. If they had, though, Jørgen would have told us.” Erik looked at the radio thoughtfully. “If you leave it with me, I could get this to Kristian and he will get it working again. Then I will have a way to get information out and back to England.”
Evelyn glanced behind them. They were quite alone. Anna was washing up in the back room and Philip was helping Jørgen in the large kitchen on the other side of the small house. She returned her gaze to his face.
“Erik, you realize how dangerous that will be?” she asked in a low voice. “I know what you’re determined to do if the Germans succeed in occupying Norway, but please consider carefully. Peder is dead now because of this radio.”
“And many Norwegians are dead now because of the Germans,” he replied evenly. “I know the risks. I knew them the other night when we discussed this, as did you.”
Evelyn’s lips twisted as she thought of how naive she had been even two nights ago, thinking only of how useful it would be to have Erik and Anna here on the ground in Norway. Now she understood just what would happen to them if they were caught by the Germans.
“Watching Peder...” Her voice cracked and she cleared her throat.
“Made it all real,” he finished for her. “I understand. Yet this is our world now. This is what we have to survive in. This radio will help us do that to some extent.”
“Were you able to convince Anna to come with me?” she asked suddenly.
He shook his head. “No. You were right. She is determined to stay here and fight, with us.”
Evelyn sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be able to talk her into it, but I admit that I hoped you could.”
“Hoped he could what?” Anna asked, walking into the living room.
Her face was scrubbed clean and her hair was brushed out and re-braided. She no longer looked like a homeless vagabond, and Evelyn smiled, turning in her chair.
“Nothing,” she said. “It’s not important.”
“Did you get it working?” Anna asked, walking over to stand by the table and looking down at the radio.
“No.”
“What now, then? How will you know if the plan is still the same?”
“I won’t, not until I get there tomorrow.”
Anna looked at her for a moment, then shook her head and reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder.
“If something goes wrong, you’ll stay with us,” she said. “No arguments. We’ll find a way to get you to the Swedish border.”
Evelyn swallowed. She had no intention of staying and keeping them in such danger, but she knew it was no use to say as much to Anna.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” she said instead, forcing a smile.
“Come into the kitchen and eat,” Jørgen said from the door, drawing their attention. “It’s not much, just hot soup and toasted bread, but it will fill you. You all look half-starved.”
Evelyn and Erik stood up and she closed the radio case, locking it securely.
“Hot soup sounds like heaven,” she murmured, turning away from the table. “Are you an angel in disguise, Jørgen?” she asked.
The man grunted. “I’m no angel, Miss, but I will help where I can,” he said brusquely. “While you eat, I will build up the fire in here and get some blankets. It won’t be fancy, but you all should be comfortable enough.”
“Perhaps you’re not an angel,” Anna said with a smile, “but as far as I’m concerned, you’re a hero. Thank you for all of this.”
He flushed and waved them towards the kitchen.
“No need to thank me. Go and eat before Philip eats it all. He had almost finished a bowl already before I came in here.”
Evelyn followed the others towards the kitchen, pausing to watch as Jørgen went over to the large fireplace in the center of the wall and began to pile more logs onto the low flame. Suddenly and irrationally, she knew that Norway would be all right. Whether or not the Germans succeeded in occupying the small country, the people would survive. People like Jørgen, the Hansen’s, and the Kolstad’s in Oslo would keep helping where they could, spreading hope when there would seem to be none. People like Anna, Peder, Kristian, Olav, and now Erik would fight, and die, to make sure that the country survived. No matter how dark the days got, there would always be hope.
As Evelyn turned away to go into the kitchen, she grasped that hope and held on to it. She had to believe it or she would never be able to get on a ship tomorrow and leave Anna and Erik to their fate.
London, England
April 14
Bill looked up as Wesley entered his office, a newspaper in one hand and a stack of folders in the other.
“Good morning, sir,” he said, closing the door behind him and crossing to the desk. “Have you been here long?”
“No. I’ve just arrived,” Bill said, reaching for the folders. “Sorry to have you come in on a Sunday. It will only be for a few hours.”
“It’s all right, sir. I understand.” Wesley cleared his throat. “Have you seen the papers?”
Bill glanced up from the folder he was flipping through and raised his eyebrows.
“Not yet, no.”
Wesley handed him the newspaper. “I think it might cheer you up. I know it did me.”
Bill took the paper and opened it to read the headline. GERMAN DESTROYERS AND U-BOAT DESTROYED AT NARVIK.
“Oh, that is good news!” he exclaimed, scanning the article. “Eight destroyers sunk and one U-boat.”
“If it’s accurate, that’s a big chunk of the Kriegsmarine destroyer strength,” Wesley said.
“I’d say it’s half, if the numbers we have on their naval strength are accurate. That’s jolly good news!”
“I thought you’d enjoy it, sir.” Wesley smiled. “We were due for some good news.”
“Yes, we were.” Bill finished reading the article and set the paper down. “Still nothing from the radio room?”
“No, sir.”
He frowned and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes.
“Where the hell is she?” he muttered, not expecting an answer. He got up and walked over to the map of Norway on the wall. “Lieutenant Commander Wheeler is in Namsos now. He has orders to leave as soon as the marines are safely ashore.”
“How many ships are with him?” Wesley asked, joining him at the map.
“Two more cruisers and ten destroyers.” Bill scratched his head as he gazed at the map. “They’re remaining in Norway, and Wheeler is leaving to rendezvous with another cruiser and three destroyers heading back to Scapa Flow. He can’t remain any longer than absolutely necessary. It’s too dangerous for a cruiser to be sailing alone with the U-boat threat.”
Before Wesley could offer a comment, a knock fell on the door and he turned to open it, admitting a young man in uniform.
“Good morning, sir,” he said respectfully. “This just came through for you. It’s from the HMS Cardiff.”
Bill held out his hand, taking the folded message from the young man. “Thank you.”
He nodded and turned to leave as Bill went back towards his desk, his head bent over the paper as he scanned the message quickly. Wesley closed the door behind him and turned to look at Bill.
“What does it say? Do they have her?” he asked.
“No.” Bill dropped into his seat again and laid the message on the desk. “They’re docked and unloading. Wheeler wants to know if his passenger is coming. I have absolutely no idea what to tell him.”
He lapsed into silence and Wesley was quiet, waiting. After a few moments, Bill sighed heavily and sat forward, reaching for a pad and pencil.
“There’s not much I can do at this point but try to buy her some extra time and pray that she presents herself,” he muttered, scrawling a reply on the pad. “Have this reply sent back. If he hasn’t had any contact by mid-afternoon, he’s to depart as planned.”
“And Jian?”
Bill tore off the paper, folded it and handed it to Wesley, his lips pressed together in a grim line.
“Will have to find another way home.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
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Spillum, Norway
Evelyn bent over the table and studied the map spread out before her. Erik stood next to her, his brows pulled together thoughtfully as he, also, studied the map. It was late in the morning and they hadn’t left at first light, as had been their intention. When Jørgen went out to tend the animals, he had discovered that the fresh snow had caused a large section of fir tree to fall, blocking the entrance to the barn. Because he had been kind enough to give them shelter and food, Erik and Philip had spent part of the morning helping him cut and move the obstruction. By the time they had finished, Jørgen insisted on giving them breakfast as well.
“I think this will be the best route here,” Erik finally said, pointing. “From what Jørgen said, the roads will be clear, but there’s no reason to risk it. We can cross the mountain here and avoid the road altogether until here, where we will have to take it. This will take us to the bridge. Once we cross the bridge, there are a few different roads to take, and we can easily avoid the main one.”
“I don’t even know where I’m going,” Evelyn muttered, staring at the map helplessly. “With no way of reaching my contact, I don’t know which harbor to go to. From what I can see, there are three.”
Erik glanced at her. “Yes. There are more, but these three would be the only ones capable of docking a large ship. What kind of ship are we talking about?”
“A cruiser,” she said after a moments hesitation.
“Definitely one of those three, then,” he said thoughtfully. “You will be able to see them well enough when you get there.” He looked at her and gave her a small smile. “You will find them. Don’t worry. Namsos is not like London, or even Oslo.”
Evelyn nodded, taking strength from that small smile. She had learned over the past few days that Erik gave them rarely. He was trying to encourage her and give her hope. They were so close. She was so close. And yet so much could still go wrong.
“Well? What have you two decided?” Anna asked, coming into the room with Philip close behind.
“We’ll stay off the main road and stick to the mountains until we have to cross the bridge,” Erik said. “Once we get to the bridge, we have no choice but to be in the open.”
“There are no German troops in the area yet,” Philip said. “If we take the main road, it will be faster and easier.”
“There are no troops that we know of,” Erik replied. “It’s not worth the risk if we’re wrong.”
“That’s true,” Anna agreed, glancing down at the map. “How much longer will it take to go through the hills, though?”
“With the added snow? Perhaps an extra hour.”
Anna looked at Evelyn sharply. “It’s almost ten now. That will put you in Namsos after one.”
Evelyn nodded. “I know.”
She had no way of knowing when Lt. Commander Wheeler would leave, but Erik was right. It wasn’t worth taking the risk to go along the main road. If the SS troops had followed them, they could very well be watching the roads into Namsos, waiting for them. And they would be looking for two men and two women traveling together.
Philip pulled out a chair and sat down, leaning his elbow on the table while he studied the map.
“If we go that way, we’ll reach the bridge at mid-day,” he said slowly. “The sun will be at its highest and any reconnaissance flights will have a very clear view.” Then, as if echoing Evelyn’s own thoughts, he continued, “The SS will be looking for two couples. If they see us on the bridge, there will be no mistaking us.”
“That’s why they won’t see us on the bridge,” Evelyn said, her voice even.
“What? How is that?” Anna demanded. “Do you have a plan to become invisible?”
“Not invisible, no,” she said with a laugh. “But not what they’re looking for. You see, we won’t be crossing the bridge together.”
Anna and Philip stated at her blankly, but Erik grasped what she meant immediately. He frowned, his dark eyes probing hers.
“That wasn’t the plan,” he said. “I told you I would see you into Namsos. I told you I would get you there safely.”
“And you have,” she told him with a smile. “I would never have got this far without your help and guidance. For that, I owe you a great debt. If e
ver I have the opportunity to repay it, know that I will do everything in my power to do so.”
“Do you mean you’re leaving?” Anna suddenly gasped, her eyes flaring wide. “Is that what you mean? You’re going on alone?”
“Yes.”
“No!” Anna glared at her, her face flushing. “We’ve come this far together. We will go the rest of the way as well. There is no reason for us to give up now.”
“I’m not giving up. I’m being practical. Anna, there is nowhere between here,” Evelyn pointed on the map, “and here where we can take cover from aerial reconnaissance. We will be completely exposed, and if the Germans are out there, the only defense we have left is to separate.”
“She’s right,” Philip admitted reluctantly after a moment of silence. “Dressed as she is, she can be mistaken for a farmer’s wife going into town. If they’re watching, they won’t see anything they haven’t already seen several times already.”
“If they’re watching. Jørgen said they haven’t come this far yet. He hasn’t heard of any in the village, or even passing on the road.”
“That doesn’t mean they haven’t,” Evelyn said. “Anna, be sensible. We’ve come this far, and I have put you at more risk than you had any reason to be. I won’t do it any longer. I’ll go the rest of the way alone, and you will be far safer without me. You all will. You know that.”
Anna shook her head. “I don’t care about that,” she argued. “I promised to get you out of Norway. I can’t just leave you to fend for yourself now.”
“You’re not,” Evelyn said with a quick grin. “I am. I’m the one making the decision, not you.”
“If you continue alone, and Philip goes on his own, then we will all cross the bridge at different times and enter Namsos with very little risk, even if they have someone watching the bridge and the city,” Erik said, nodding. “Philip can meet up with us once we’re in Namsos. It is good. That is the best approach, I think.”
“I am out-voted, then?” Anna looked from one to the other, ending with Evelyn. “I’ll do what everyone else thinks is best, but I am not happy with this decision at all.”