138
Tony sat in the body of the Halifax, thinking back to the time when he had prepared for his first parachute jump. He grinned ruefully. He had been so frightened then, not of the jump but of actually going up in the aircraft. It was like second nature to him now to be flying above the Channel towards enemy-held territory. He looked around him at the three cylinders which were to accompany him on this jump. They contained all he needed, or so he hoped, to wage his war of disruption on the German lines of communication. He shifted his position to try to get more comfortable, the parachute making it difficult for him to lean back with any ease. He grinned at the crew member sitting opposite.
"It won't be long now, sir.” The youngster threw a questioning glance at Tony. "Are you nervous?"
Tony nodded. "Yes, I'm nervous. You can never be sure that the Germans won’t see the plane, and get to the jump zone before you get clear. Then there's the constant fear of being in enemy held territory. Above all that there's the anticipation of seeing old friends again, and the excitement of feeling that you're doing something wonderful. It's always the same."
"You've done this before?" The young man looked surprised as Tony nodded. "If you feel like that, why go back again?"
Tony shrugged. "Because it's my job and I'm good at it, I suppose. It’s frightening, but so worthwhile. Believe it or not, it’s enjoyable in a strange way. Still, I’ll be glad when the war is over and I can visit France without having to sneak in at the dead of night."
"I've never been to France."
Tony smiled. "You must go after the war. It won't be the same as before ’39, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
The young man grinned. "I'm sure I'll enjoy it more than you do on this visit!"
Tony nodded. "If it turns out anything like the last trip, you'll soon be hearing me calling you to get me back out!"
"Was it that bad?" Tony nodded. "If it turns out anything like the last trip, you'll soon be hearing me calling you to get me back out!"
"Was it that bad?"
Tony thought of the cell where he had been held; the cold, the hunger, the endless light, but most of all the pain. He felt the fear once again as he thought of the information he now carried about the D-Day codes. He could not allow himself to give that information away. He felt with his tongue for his L pill, the cyanide capsule which had been hidden inside a tooth hollowed out for that specific purpose. It was comforting to know it was there, though he prayed he would never need to take it.
"Sir?"
Tony dragged his mind back to the present.
"It could have been worse.” He smiled as he spoke. “They could have run out of cognac!”
The young man shook his head in disbelief. "You know, they talk about our soldiers who fight on the ground, in tanks, in the air, at sea, but they never mention blokes like you. I think you're the real heroes. I could never do what you do."
Tony shrugged. "If someone had told me four years ago what I would be doing now, I wouldn't have believed them. But in war you do what you have to do. That isn’t heroic, just a matter of necessity."
A red light came on above the crew members’ head, casting an eerie glow over the interior of the plane and bringing their conversation to an end. There was no need for words. The two men rose to their feet, removed the hatch, fixed static lines to the parachutes attached to the containers and pushed them close to the edge. As Tony attached his own static line, the light changed from red to green, and the two men pushed the containers one by one through the hole. As Tony sat on the edge, the airman smiled encouragingly at him.
"Good luck, sir!"
Tony grinned. "See you in France after the war!"
The dispatcher’s arm swept down as he cried "Go!" Tony leapt into the night air above a France eagerly awaiting its liberation.
He floated down through the cold night air, no lights below to show how far he had fallen or how far he had yet to go. A little to his right he saw the mushrooming canopy of the nearest container. He altered his direction slightly, so that he was falling closer to it and would land not too far away. He did not worry about the other containers. Angeline had received the message saying an agent was coming, and Jean-Paul was sure to have arranged a reception committee for him and the canisters. Although he could not yet make out any landmarks, those on the ground would have seen the parachutes, and would already be splitting up and moving off to intercept them. Then Tony saw the dark shadow of the land approaching fast, and took his landing position. As he touched the ground he rolled, then was back on his feet in seconds, fighting to deflate the balloon of his canopy and gather in the yards of silk. As he pulled the material towards him he heard the sound of running feet behind him. Turning anxiously, he recognised the approaching figure and grinned broadly. The Frenchman halted in surprise, his face a mask of incredulity.
"Mon Dieu! Albert!" Suddenly his face broke into a broad grin, and he quickly covered the remaining few yards to embrace the British agent. He stepped back and shook his head in disbelief.
"We were told to expect an agent, but I never dreamt it would be you! What made you come back?"
"I'll explain everything later, Jean-Paul. For now, just help me to get this parachute out of sight and find the cylinders."
Jean-Paul helped Tony to bundle the silk under his arm.
"We’re not far from the cave. We’ll hide your parachute there." He looked around. "We saw four chutes. Was that all?"
Tony nodded. "Yes. Mine and three containers."
"Good." Jean-Paul pointed to their left. "Georges took the one over there, Madeleine the next and Vincent the one that fell closest to you."
Tony was surprised. "Vincent is here?"
"Yes." Jean-Paul grinned. "You wouldn’t believe how helpful he’s been. Now let’s get you to the cave."
The next half hour was spent moving the containers into the cave. There was little time for exchanging news, but once all signs of the drop were out of sight, they settled themselves on the rough stone floor and took stock of their situation. All the members of the group were as surprised as Jean-Paul to see Tony back in their midst, and he could not help grinning at them.
"Yes, it really is me."
"It’s good to see you again, Albert, but do you think it was really wise of you to come back? The Germans were furious at your escape. We had to stop all activities for months because of the increased checkpoints, spot checks and downright nastiness. Your picture was plastered on every wall in the city, and there’s a large reward out for your capture." Jean-Paul looked worried. "It's not just the Germans we have to worry about, even some French people would hand you over if they saw you, either for the money or for favours for their families."
Tony nodded. "I know. I considered all that, but I was the only agent who knew the area well enough to help you to cause the maximum amount of disruption, in preparation for the invasion." He grinned at the expressions on their faces, varying from hope to relief and joy. Madeleine spoke for them all.
"The invasion at last! When will it come, Albert?"
Tony shrugged. "I don't know. All I can say is that we'll be given a warning at the beginning of the month. Before that we must cut the German lines of communication - bridges, railways and telephones. Then we attack the docks to coincide with the landings, to prevent troops being moved up to the front.
"But it will be soon?"
Tony nodded. “Yes, Vincent. By the end of the year, there will be no more Germans in France." He looked across at Georges and Madeleine, who were smiling delightedly at each other with the news, then looked back at Vincent. "I'm glad you’re all here together tonight. It gives me a chance to thank you for what you did for me, last time I was here. You shouldn't have taken such risks for me, but I'm glad you did! It was a wonderful piece of teamwork. If you hadn't done it, I would be dead."
"As might the rest of us. We did it as much to protect ourselves as to help you."
Tony smiled at Jean-Paul. "I know, but it would have
been easier if you’d just silenced me, instead of trying to smuggle me out. I thank you for taking that decision, and you, Vincent, for helping."
The older man smiled happily. "I’ve enjoyed working with these people. It’s good to be doing something for my country other than complaining about the Germans."
"What have you been up to?" He aimed his question at Jean-Paul who, as always, was spokesman for the group.
"We’ve hit a few small convoys and blown a few tracks. Enough to keep our hand in, and keep the Germans on their toes, but no big attacks. Hopefully that will change, now the invasion is coming."
Tony nodded. "It will." He looked quizzically at Georges and Madeleine who were holding hands, not too discreetly. They smiled at him.
"I’m afraid you missed our wedding, Albert."
Tony smiled in delight. "You're married? That's wonderful!" He crossed the cave and embraced the couple. "I'm really happy for you both!" He thought of Madeleine as she had been when he first met her, angry, bitter, full of pain and hate, and was glad that love had found a place in her life once more. It was good to see that although the Germans had conquered the land, they had not conquered the spirit of the people. There was still life and hope and love, and while these three existed the people could never really be defeated. Dragging his thoughts back to the present, he addressed his small, tightly knit group.
"You had all better get back home. We’ll continue to use the same contact points as before. Jean-Paul will be in touch to give you details of the planned attacks." He smiled at them all. "Thank you all for coming tonight. You don't know how good it feels to be back amongst my friends again."
Tony and Jean-Paul wished the others goodnight, and watched as they slipped out into the darkness. Then the Englishman turned to face his companion.
"Well, Georges and Madeleine always seemed friendly, but I didn't expect to find them married when I got back."
Jean-Paul smiled. "That’s the only good thing I have seen come from the occupation." Tony raised his eyebrows questioningly and Jean-Paul continued. "They both took the deaths of Charles and Alain very hard. Georges had known them for most of his life and was bitter and angry, but what struck him and Madeleine the hardest was the sheer brutality of their deaths. For a while I thought their hate was so great that they might do something stupid and become a liability to the group, but then they began to spend time together, and managed to talk out the extremes of their feelings. They still hate the Germans for what they did and want revenge. But they managed to get those feelings under control. Love seemed to help to heal their wounds."
Tony nodded. "I understand. We all need someone to share our hopes and fears with, or we’re lost." He was thinking of Sarah, and wishing he could share his life and heart with her as Georges and Madeleine did. He made an effort to put Sarah to the back of his mind. Thinking of her and wishing he were with her would only distract him from the important things he had to think about. He could not let his love for her become a liability, putting his and other people’s lives at risk. He knew it would be hard, but it had to be done. He brought his thoughts to bear on the present situation.
"You’d better be on your way, Jean-Paul."
"You’ll stay with us again, Albert." It was a statement not a question.
Tony shrugged. "I don't know. I don't want to put you and your family in any greater danger. I had thought of staying here in the cave."
"That won't be necessary. The Germans very rarely come out as far as us, as long as they get their produce. If they do come, there are many places where you can hide until they’ve gone. You know you’re more than welcome in my home."
Tony grinned. "Thank you, Jean-Paul. I must admit, I find the idea of sleeping here rather unappealing. And it will be good to see Marie and the children again."
Jean-Paul put his arm around the younger man’s shoulders.
"Come on. Let's go home."
139
It was close to midnight when the two men arrived back at Jean-Paul’s home, but Marie was still waiting for her husband. She never went to bed until he returned home safely from his work with the Resistance. When she saw Tony, tears sprang to her eyes and a welcoming smile lit her face.
"Albert! It’s so good to see you! Let me get you a drink!" She bustled around as she fought to control her emotions. She had not expected to see Tony again until after the war, if at all, and her surprise at his sudden re-appearance was overwhelming. Soon there were three glasses of red wine on the table, and she had regained her composure. "Jean-Paul told me what the Germans had done to you. When they put you on that plane, they didn’t expect you to live. But then we received a message to say you had arrived safely, and were expected to survive." She closed her eyes, as though to shut out the memory of those dark days. "We didn’t know what sort of recovery you would make and I felt so sad for your grandmother and parents. With David dead and you so badly injured, they must have suffered greatly."
Tony shook his head sadly. "They didn't even know." His two companions looked questioningly at him, and he tried to explain. "The work I do is secret. It has to be kept as much a secret in England as here in France. My family don’t know what I do. They thought I was in America trying to obtain arms. When I got back to England I was kept in hospital until all signs of what I had been through were gone. Only then was I allowed to go home, and say I had just got back from America."
Jean-Paul looked disbelieving. "I’m sorry, Albert. I didn’t realise it was like that for you. It must be very difficult to keep all this from the people you love." Tony nodded but said nothing, and Jean-Paul continued. "You had no visitors in hospital?"
"I had some. People who know what work I do. They helped me a great deal."
"But no family?" Jean-Paul shook his head in disbelief.
"They will be very proud of you when they find out,” Marie smiled comfortingly at Tony. "While you’re here, you’re not without a family who understands. You’re a part of us now, and you have constantly been in our prayers since we last saw you."
Tony was touched by the concern and understanding shown by the Boues.
"Thank you, Marie." He raised his glass. "Let’s drink to family and friends. Those with us now, those far away and those who only live in our memories."
The three people raised their glasses, uniting a family divided by distance and misunderstanding. They prayed for a speedy end to the war, so that peace would come and heal all wounds.
When Tony came down to breakfast, he found the whole family at the table and was touched by the welcome he received from Theresa and Jeanne. The two girls were growing quickly, despite the meagre rations which life in Occupied France allowed. They seemed full of life as they clambered down from the table to rush across the room to embrace him.
"Albert! I've missed you!"
Tony ruffled the hair of the twelve year old. "I've missed you too, Jeanne.
He turned and smiled at Theresa. "You’ve grown too. You're a proper young lady now." He took her hand and kissed it gallantly. Theresa smiled warmly. At fourteen she was developing a woman’s body. Her childish features were softening and maturing. Despite the war, Tony felt there were probably many young men seeking to court this teenager.
"I’m glad you are well enough to come back to us, Albert. We’ve missed you."
Jean-Paul smiled warmly at his daughters.
"If you two have finished your breakfast, will you please leave Albert in peace to enjoy his. Don’t you have any chores to do?"
Jeanne, as impulsive and affectionate as ever, ran across to her father and kissed him on the cheek.
"Of course, Papa. I’ll gather the eggs." With that she turned and rushed through the open door.
Tony laughed. "What a ray of sunshine she is!” He turned to the older girl. "Do you have work to do too?"
"I want to help with your work."
"My work?"
The teenager nodded. "Yes. I’m sure you wouldn’t have come back if you didn’t have plans
to fight the Germans once more. I want to help."
Tony nodded solemnly. "Yes Theresa, I'm sure you do. I’ll try to find work for you."
"I want to fight this time, Albert. I’m fourteen, almost grown-up. I have more to offer than nursing skills."
Tony looked across at Jean-Paul, who shook his head imperceptibly, a movement which was not lost on Theresa.
"Please don’t try to stop me, Papa. It’s something I have to do." She turned back to Tony. "You will give me a chance to prove myself?"
Tony was silent for a moment, then nodded. "All right. I won't promise anything, Theresa, but if a suitable job presents itself, you can have it."
"Thank you." Theresa turned and followed her sister from the kitchen. Tony sat down at the table with a shake of his head.
"She's changed, Jean-Paul. Much more adult. She seems to hate the Germans in a more adult way too."
Jean-Paul nodded sadly. "She’s been like this since the death of Charles."
Tony frowned. "What has Charles got to do with this?"
Marie put a large cup of coffee on the table in front of him and sat down.
"Charles has everything to do with it,” she said softly. "Theresa idolised him. He was her hero. And she fell in love with him."
"In love? Surely she’s too young for that?"
Marie smiled. "She was just the right age. All girls as they reach their teens fall in love for the first time, and usually with an older man. It’s all quite natural. In time they grow up a little, and realise it’s just an infatuation. That man will always have a special place in their memories, but they will go on to fall in love with boys of their own age. That’s how it should be. Only with Theresa, that didn't happen." She sighed sadly. "Charles was killed before Theresa could grow up. She was still in love with him, and hates the Germans for what they did. I do too, for they took away her childhood before she was ready to give it up."
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