Hetty's Secret War

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘Yes, thank you. I’ll come now.’

  Beth grabbed her coat and bag from the bed and went out. If it really was a raid, she was going to be late for work, but with any luck the all-clear would go before too long.

  *

  ‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ Beth apologised as she went into the office. Arnold was bent over his desk, one lock of dark hair falling over his forehead as he read through some papers. ‘I got caught in a false alarm before I left my lodgings.’

  ‘Just as well it was a false alarm. Did it upset you? You look a bit peaky, Beth. Not ill, are you?’

  ‘I don’t know. I was sick this morning. I’m not sure what caused it.’

  ‘Something you ate?’ He raised his brows. ‘Or are you pregnant?’

  The direct question made her blush. ‘I suppose I might be. It’s a bit soon though, isn’t it?’

  ‘It happens,’ Arnold said wryly. ‘It happened to someone I knew.’

  Beth had the oddest feeling that he was talking about his wife. She felt her heart wrench with sympathy for him but didn’t say anything. If he wanted to talk, he would when he was ready.

  ‘What will you do if you are?’ Arnold asked. ‘Will you want to leave immediately?’

  ‘Not unless you want me to.’

  ‘I’d prefer you to stay on as long as you can manage. You’ve been useful, Beth. I shall be sorry to lose you.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you. I shan’t leave until the work becomes too difficult.’

  ‘I can get another driver when I need to, but you could carry on with the other work for some months, couldn’t you?’

  ‘Almost to the end, I should think – that’s if you can put up with me.’

  Arthur smiled enigmatically. I imagine I might. Let’s see how it goes. It might be just a tummy upset.’

  Beth had a feeling that he hoped it would be exactly that, but she wasn’t sure how she felt herself. If Drew had been home, she would have been pleased. Somehow, it didn’t seem right to have to go through nine months of carrying his child without him being there to comfort her.

  ‘Can you take dictation now?’ Arnold asked. ‘I have an important meeting later with Churchill and I want to show him this report. My writing is atrocious. I can’t read half of what I’ve written myself. I shall have to dictate and improvise what I can’t make out.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ Beth said. It was the first time he’d asked her if she was ready to take dictation. He usually just took her for granted. She was rather touched by his concern. ‘Thank you. If you have a meeting, would it be all right if I took an hour or so off to see a doctor?’

  ‘Of course. You have to take care of yourself, Beth. I don’t want you to make yourself ill.’

  ‘Oh, I shan’t do that,’ she said. ‘I’m quite ready now – if you are?’

  His smile warmed her and suddenly she didn’t feel quite as alone as she had earlier that morning.

  *

  Hetty was relieved that her monthly flow had come as usual. The complication of a child at this time was the last thing she needed. She had hoped there might be a baby when she was living with Henri, but it hadn’t happened. She thought that perhaps it wasn’t possible for her and was a little sad, because her closeness to Kristina had made her realise how much she would have liked a baby. Yet she knew that she would not have wanted to have Pierre’s child at this particular moment in time. It would be too awkward and constricting, especially at times like these.

  ‘Are you listening, Hetty?’ The man’s impatient voice brought her thoughts to earth with a bump. ‘The device is set. All you have to do is get down to the line and place it where we arranged without being seen.’

  ‘You make it sound so simple, Bernard,’ she said. ‘Supposing I set if off by accident?’

  ‘If you’d been listening you would know that isn’t possible. You unravel the wire as you come back up the bank. I shall attach it to the remote detonator and…’

  ‘Boom!’ Hetty said and grinned at the countess’ faithful retainer. ‘As I said, it sounds so simple.’

  ‘As it will be if you are careful. I would go myself, but you are more nimble. If anyone saw me, I would be too slow to hide. Besides, Louis and I will be on the watch up here with the guns. I do not think you would be able to shoot anyone if it became necessary.’ He gave his grandson a nod, as if telling him to look out for her.

  ‘I should miss if I tried,’ Hetty retorted. ‘I need a lot more lessons before I can get the aim right. No, we agreed that I should be the one to place the device. You’ve told me what to do six times, Bernard. I shan’t forget.’

  ‘If you’re challenged, you must run away at once. Don’t let yourself be caught, Hetty. Get rid of the explosives somehow and run as fast as you can.’

  ‘I know. You’ve told me. Stop worrying. I know exactly what to do.’ Sometimes Bernard was an old woman!

  ‘It’s time to start down now. You have fifteen minutes to get down there, wedge it onto the line, bring the wire back to me so that we’re ready when the train comes through.’

  ‘You’re sure you’ll know it’s the right one?’

  ‘I’ll know.’ He looked grim.

  Hetty started off down the incline. It was almost dark, the moon obscured by helpful clouds. She was praying it would stay that way.

  She could see just enough to find her path down the steep embankment. They had practised this several times. Hetty had carried a basket, pretending to be picking wild herbs. She’d tried the descent with her eyes shut and knew she could do it, her feet sure and safe as she went down.

  Finding the right spot on the line was more difficult. Bernard had told her it must be against the inner rail so that the train caught the full blast. It was only capable of causing a small explosion in itself, but the German train was carrying ammunition and should go up like a firework display according to their information.

  She found the right spot and placed her package. Her fingers shook a little and her heart raced as she began to unravel the wire. This was the danger time if she was spotted from the station just up the line. She held her breath as she began to climb back up the steep bank, expecting to hear shouting or gunfire, but there was nothing and she reached the top without incident, flopping down on the grass beside Bernard and his grandson, Louis.

  ‘Good,’ he said, a note of satisfaction in his voice. He was making the connection and now had the plunger extended. They all heard the train coming and looked at each other expectantly. ‘Go now, both of you.’

  Hetty hesitated, but Louis grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.

  ‘Come, it is dangerous to be seen together. There will be fire.’

  ‘But your grandfather?’

  ‘He will follow.’

  Hetty allowed the youth to urge her into the shelter of the trees. She heard the first explosion seconds later, and then, after a short delay, a series of huge ones, sounding like a fantastic firework display. The sky was suddenly red and orange as a fireball shot into the air behind them. It was awesome and frightening; Hetty was shocked that they had managed to do something like this. Until this moment it had been almost like playing a game, now, suddenly, it had become reality.

  ‘We must hurry. If we are seen now we shall be suspected,’ Louis urged her.

  ‘Bernard…’

  ‘Knows these woods better than you, Hetty. Save your breath and run.’

  Hetty did as she was told, blocking thoughts of what was happening behind her. The train was manned by Germans because they didn’t trust the French. Bernard had told her so and she had to believe him. It didn’t matter how many Germans were killed, because they were the enemy. They were killing anyone they pleased, ruthlessly and in cold blood. She hated them. They had killed Kristina’s mother and probably her father too.

  Louis stopped her when they reached the edge of the woods close to the chateau. He took his gun and hid it in a hollow tree. In the faint glimmer of moonlight, his eyes held the glitter of exc
itement.

  ‘Now, do not forget, we have been visiting my great-grandmother who is sick, Hetty.’ He handed her the basket she had left earlier by the tree. ‘You have been tending her. She lives five miles in the opposite direction from where we blew up the train.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about. No one would betray us, Louis. They all hate the Germans.’

  ‘We must be careful. They will come, Hetty, after this they will assuredly come. We must give them no reason to be suspicious or they will shoot us all.’

  ‘At least we have done something tonight – struck a blow for France.’ She felt strangely elated and would have liked to shout her triumph aloud.

  ‘Oui, mademoiselle.’ His manner had become that of the respectful servant once more. ‘My great-grandmother is very grateful to you.’

  Hetty walked a little behind him, her head bent in thought. It took only a few minutes to reach the servants’ entrance. Once they were inside, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  It was short-lived. Louis was talking to one of the women and she could see their anxious faces.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘A German general is here,’ Louis told her. ‘He came in a staff car with two junior officers. More men will join them in the morning.’

  Hetty felt the chill at the nape of her neck. ‘How long have they been here?’

  ‘A few minutes only,’ Louis said. ‘The story is changed, mademoiselle. You have been lying down in your room. You had a headache, but Madame la Comtesse has sent to ask if you will come down.’

  ‘I shall use the back stairs. I must change my dress and I shall leave my shoes here. Where is the general and his staff?’

  ‘In the green salon.’

  ‘At the front of the house?’ Hetty breathed more easily. ‘They would not have seen as we returned. It is fortunate that they came on ahead of the others – but I wonder why they did that? It is more usual for them to sweep in and take control with no warning.’

  ‘General Von Steinbeck has stayed here before as a guest of the family. He wanted to warn the Comtesse without alarming her that her house was to be inspected. They are looking for somewhere suitable to set up their headquarters in this area.’

  ‘Tell me the rest later. I must hurry.’

  Hetty ran up the stairs, making her way swiftly to her own room. She tore off her dress, which might show signs of where she’d lain on the grass waiting for the train. Selecting a heavy linen dress with a demure white collar and short sleeves, she found a pair of black satin shoes and then dragged a brush through her hair. She decided against make-up. If she looked pale, so much the better. She was supposed to have the headache.

  Her heart was thumping as she walked down the main staircase and turned towards the green salon. She had always known the Germans would come one day, but that it should be this night! Her guilt lay on her heavily, but she fought it down. What was done was done and for France. The door of the salon was slightly open and she was surprised to hear the sound of laughter. She paused outside to catch her breath and then went in. The Comtesse had brought out a bottle of the best champagne.

  ‘Marguerite, my dear,’ she said, turning as Hetty came in with a smile of welcome. ‘Please come and meet my good friend, General Von Steinbeck. He was a particular friend of Pierre’s father, you know.’ She smiled encouragingly at Hetty. ‘General – my great-niece, Marguerite Lebrun. How is your headache now, my dear?’

  ‘A little better,’ Hetty said. She felt as if she were in a nightmare. She had just been the cause of death and destruction to this man’s comrades and here he was being treated as a favoured guest at the chateau. Yet what else could the Comtesse do? Hetty had no choice but to follow her lead. ‘Forgive me for keeping you waiting, General Von Steinbeck. I was asleep.’

  ‘And we have woken you! Forgive us, mademoiselle. Your great-aunt insisted that you would want to come down, though I told her it could wait until tomorrow.’

  ‘It is all right, Marguerite. I have shown General Von Steinbeck your papers. Everything is in order. He understands why you have come to stay with me, my dear.’

  ‘I was afraid you might be lonely.’ Hetty smiled and went to kiss her cheek. She glanced at the two younger men. They seemed more interested in the General than her and with a shock of recognition she realised that they were homosexual; some of Henri’s friends had been of that persuasion and the signs were all there. Noticing the glances between them, she wondered if perhaps they were the General’s lovers.

  Someone knocked at the door and Bernard entered.

  ‘Your rooms are ready, gentlemen,’ he said and smiled easily. Hetty wondered how he had managed to get back in the time and still manage to look so relaxed. ‘General, you will not remember me, perhaps?’

  ‘Certainly, I remember. You looked after me very well when I last stayed here. I apologise for being the bearer of bad news, but I shall make the inspection as easy as possible for you. And now – if you will excuse us, madame, mademoiselle – we shall avail ourselves of your excellent hospitality.’

  He picked up the champagne and started towards the door, where Bernard awaited him. ‘I have myself been preparing a room for you, General, or I should have been here sooner. The meal we have for you is but simple food but the best we have available at such short notice. Tomorrow we shall do better.’

  ‘Ah yes, I have made arrangements. Supplies will arrive. You know my tastes, Bernard. I am sure you will look after me.’

  ‘Everything you eat or drink will be supervised by me, monsieur. You have no need to fear while you are a guest here.’

  ‘As Madame de Faubourg assured me on my arrival. We can be civil to one another even though our countries are at war – but that is over now. We Germans and French must work together for a better future – do you not agree?’

  Madame de Faubourg lifted her glass in salute. ‘To a better future – I shall drink a toast to that, General Von Steinbeck.’

  ‘Thank you, madame.’ He bowed and went out, followed by the two young men.

  Hetty glanced at the Comtesse, but she shook her head.

  ‘Are you sure your head is better, dearest? You look very pale.’

  ‘It is still quite painful, but I thought you would expect me to come down, Tante Adele.’

  She went to the door and peeped out. The German general could be heard talking to Bernard from the first landing; he was laughing and teasing his companions, completely at ease, thinking himself amongst friends no doubt.

  ‘It is all right, madame. They have gone with Bernard.’

  ‘I was praying you would return in time. I was afraid to tell them you had gone to visit Louis’s sick grandmother in case you were blamed… All went well?’

  ‘Very well.’

  ‘So now we must wait and see.’

  ‘Yes,’ Hetty agreed. ‘Now we must wait and see what happens next.’

  *

  Fate had been kind in sending them General Von Steinbeck. A man devoted to his own comfort, he took a tour of the old wing and shook his head in distress at the neglect. It was plain to see that he was shocked at the depleted state of the chateau’s former glory. So many of the chateau’s treasures had been removed that it seemed an empty shell compared with his memories.

  ‘I am sorry to see it like this, mademoiselle,’ he told Hetty. ‘I had remembered something vastly different.’

  ‘I believe Monsieur le Comte was not a good businessman, General. His son-in-law was no better. Things have been sadly neglected for too long and with the unfortunate happenings of the last few months…’

  ‘We shall say no more, mademoiselle,’ he told her. ‘This is not the place I remembered and will not serve my purpose. I have another chateau to inspect. My men and I will move on this afternoon.’

  ‘It is sad to see such neglect is it not?’ Hetty said. ‘I know my great-aunt will be disappointed you cannot stay. She had thought we might be safe if you were quarter
ed here, General.’

  ‘I think you will be safe enough. Once my report is entered, I dare say you will be left in peace.’

  ‘You are so kind.’

  ‘It is my pleasure. I was looking forward to staying here…’ Hetty caught her breath. Had she pushed her luck too far? But no, she could see that he was thinking of his own comfort. ‘However, it is not to be. We shall leave in two hours.’

  Hetty contained her delight beneath a grave face. If they were to get away with this visit so lightly it would be nothing short of a miracle.

  Two hours later, the German patrol was lined up in the courtyard, ready to leave. The General’s car was stacked with three cases of their best champagne and a small Renoir he had taken a fancy to and been given as a present. He came out onto the steps to take his leave of them, kissing both the Comtesse’s and Hetty’s hands.

  It was all going so well! Hetty was on thorns, afraid that suddenly they would change their minds and start tearing the place apart, but it seemed the Germans were ready to leave – and then it happened.

  Suddenly, Kristina ran out of the house; she clawed at the Comtesse’s skirt as she saw the German cars and lorries and started to scream and sob.

  ‘What is wrong with her?’ General Von Steinbeck’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her, taking in the dark eyes and curly hair. ‘She looks…’

  ‘Her mother was killed in an attack from the air,’ Hetty told him quickly. Her nails were turned into her hand, but she didn’t feel the pain. He must not harm the child! ‘It was as I was on my way to join my aunt – I snatched her up and ran to safety with her, but her mother died.’

  ‘She is the daughter of a Jew,’ he said and his smile had disappeared. ‘We shall take her with us. Such children pollute this country and you cannot want her here.’

  He moved to grab hold of the child, but she screamed and ran off across the courtyard just as one of the patrol vehicles started to move forward. It hit her small body with a sickening thud, sending her flying. Hetty gave a scream and would have gone to her at once, but the Comtesse put out a hand to detain her.

  ‘Bernard – see to the infant,’ she commanded, not the flicker of a muscle to betray her feelings for the child. She turned her imperious gaze on the General. ‘It was an accident. You can have no use for her now, General. You will leave her to us.’