Day Will Come (18 page)

Tomorrow they were off to Ringwood airfield, near Manchester, for parachute training. She only had one week to master that. Bill had jokingly said there was nothing to it; when the door opened you just threw yourself out. It was the landing you had to be careful about.

Grace climbed out of the bath, dried off and fell straight into bed. She needed to sleep so there was no
point worrying now and keeping awake. It would be time enough to worry when she was facing the challenge. After the parachute training there was only one more stop and that was to learn Morse code, among other things. That should be interesting.

Grace watched the ground rushing towards her and braced for the landing, trying to remember everything she had been told. She mustn’t injure herself now. Concentrating hard, she rolled as she hit the ground, then scrambled to her feet and began to gather up the parachute. Bill had landed in the same field, and as he walked towards her, she grinned.

‘I did it!’ Grace was almost dancing with excitement.

‘And I do believe you enjoyed it,’ Bill laughed.

‘I really did. It was the most incredible feeling.’

‘Don’t forget that the next time you jump it will be in the dark. We will go when there is a bright moon, though, so we should be able to see where we’re landing. Ah, here’s the truck. I’ll buy you a drink. You deserve it.’

‘Where are we going next?’ Grace asked when they were settled in a quiet corner of the bar. Bill had been very economical with his information so far, but now they were nearing the end of the training she was hoping to be told more about this operation.

‘A place in the New Forest. I’m cutting that to only five days, so just do the best you can. It’s the beginning of June now and the forecast is for favourable weather in about seven days.’

Her insides tightened at this news, but she smiled. ‘Nearly there, then.’

Bill nodded. ‘I have some final arrangements to make
so I won’t be with you this time. I’ll settle you in and then pick you up after. Only when we are ready to go will I tell you the plan.’

Ah, that answered one of her questions, then. She wouldn’t know exactly what she had let herself in for until the very last minute. ‘I understand. When are we leaving for the next camp?’

‘At eighteen hundred hours.’

Grace finished her drink quickly. ‘I’d better go and pack at once.’

They arrived too late for dinner but, evidently, they were used to serving meals at odd times. Grace was starving by the time Bill took her to the dining room. He had left immediately, not even stopping for something to eat. He appeared to know his way around these places, she thought, as she sat down. She had seen a very different side to him over the last few weeks and there was no doubt he knew what he was doing with undercover work. She now understood why he disappeared from time to time. He had once told her, jokingly, that he was a spy, and she had a strong feeling that was exactly the kind of work he was involved in.

‘Hello, Grace.’

The familiar voice had her leaping to her feet. ‘Helen! How wonderful to see you. It did cross my mind that you might be here when I knew we were coming to this area.’

Her friend laughed. ‘It’s good to see you, as well – but I’m not sure I’m too happy to see you in this place.’

‘I’m just here to learn Morse code. Sit down and talk to me while I eat. I’m ravenous. I didn’t dare eat anything
before—’ She stopped abruptly, remembering Bill’s warning about being careful what she said if she met anyone she knew. It was hard to keep secrets from her friend, though.

‘Have you seen Tim and James lately?’ Helen asked as she sat down.

Grace nodded and waited while a meal was put in front of her. She talked about the two men for a while, and then said, ‘I’ll be here for a few days, Helen, so perhaps we could have a few meals together.’

‘I won’t be here. I heard you were coming and wanted to see you before I left.’ Helen grasped Grace’s hands tightly and whispered, ‘You take care.’

‘I will, and you do the same.’

The look they gave each other didn’t need words. They knew both of them were involved in dangerous work.

The sun was going down and Grace stood by the window watching the light fade. Would there by a full moon tonight? Everyone was confident there would be and they were already at the airfield ready to go at a moment’s notice.

‘Nervous?’ Bill came and stood beside her, placing an arm across her shoulders.

‘Yes.’ There was no point in lying.

‘Waiting is the worse part. You’ll be all right once we are on our way.’

‘How many times have you done this, Bill?’

‘A few. Being able to speak German like a native is useful, and that is why Stan has tried so hard to recruit Dan. We’d have made a good team, but he’s a fighting man, and a fine one from what I’ve heard. We all have different talents and they must be used to the best advantage.’

Grace smiled. ‘It would be difficult for Dan to blend into a crowd with his height.’

‘Oh, I think he could do anything he set his mind to.’

‘Would you have taken him with you if he’d been available?’

‘Not this time. I need a beautiful woman who speaks fluent French.’

An air force officer came towards them with papers in his hands and a distracted look on his face. ‘Just received the final report, Captain; you’re good to go tonight at twenty-three hundred hours.’

Bill drew in a deep breath. ‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Clear night forecast.’ He nodded to them both and then turned and left the room.

As soon as they were alone again, Bill led Grace over to a couple of armchairs. ‘Time to brief you. The Germans have taken over a chateau set in extensive grounds. It is heavily guarded. Photos have revealed nothing and the resistance have been unable to discover exactly what it is being used for. The only thing we know is that high-ranking officers are continually going in and out. The resistance have to remain hidden, but I don’t. However, this time I can’t do it alone, and that’s where you come in. I am going to pass myself off as a German officer on leave with a French lover who is showing me some of her country. You visited the chateau as a child with your parents to buy wine, and you take me there to see if they still produce excellent wines. When we are denied entry you will need to show great disappointment, upset that you have brought me all this way from Paris for nothing. Speak rapidly in French, and while I am trying to calm you it will give me a chance to be friendly with the guards.’

‘What kind of a girl do you want me to be? Do you want me to act common?’

‘No. You are classy and elegant. The kind of woman an SS officer would be pleased to be seen with.’

Grace stared at Bill in astonishment. ‘SS! That will be dangerous.’

‘I’ve done this before, and yes, it is risky, but it could give me more chance of being invited to the chateau. We’re fairly sure social functions are being held there, but it’s what they are doing
in
the grounds we need to know. The security is too tight for it just to be a place for officers to relax. Any questions?’

She pursed her lips in thought. ‘I have been given some French clothes, but nothing classy and elegant.’

‘I have chosen a couple of outfits for you. All the things we will need, together with a wireless set, will be dropped with us. The resistance will be waiting to take us to a safe house.’

‘If you are supposed to be on leave we won’t be able to stay around too long. It will be suspicious.’

‘Five days at the most. It will be essential not to arouse any doubts about us. I don’t want you to give any indication that you understand German. We will have to put on a convincing show of being lovers, but be assured that I would never take advantage of you.’ Bill paused and sighed deeply. ‘I lie. If I thought I had the slightest chance with you I would certainly take advantage of the situation. But you already have several men waiting patiently for the right time to step in.’

Grace stared at him in astonishment. ‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘Nothing you need worry about yet. I’m going to sit back and watch to see who wins.’

‘You’re talking nonsense. Are you all right?’

‘First class. So, do you think you will be able to convince everyone we are madly in love with each other?’

‘I’ll put on a winning performance; one that will even convince you.’

Bill tipped his head back and laughed. ‘I look forward to that.’

They were both laughing when a man entered the room and walked towards them.

‘Good to hear laughter,’ he said, sitting next to them. ‘People are usually tense and subdued at this point. I’m Joe, your pilot. The forecast is for perfect weather and we will leave in two hours’ time.’

‘We’re ready. I’m Bill and my partner is Grace.’

‘Pleased to meet you. We should have a smooth flight and we’ll try to drop you in the right place,’ Joe joked.

‘That would be appreciated,’ Bill replied dryly.

‘See you in a couple of hours, then.’

‘Time to get into our kit, sweetheart.’ Bill held out his hand to pull her out of the chair. ‘Just getting in a bit of practice.’

‘Thank you, my love.’ Grace laughed. It was then she realised what he was doing. All this light-hearted nonsense had been to put her at her ease while they waited. He knew how to handle these situations, and her confidence grew. If anyone could make this a successful mission and keep them alive, then it was Bill.

‘I do have one more question.’

He stopped walking and turned to her. ‘Now’s the time to ask.’

‘How do we get back?’

‘That is what the wireless is for. They will, hopefully, send in a Lysander for us. It all depends on the situation, and if we are in trouble we might have to scramble a bit.’ He cast her an amused glance. ‘But I understand you are quite good at that.’

Her mouth twitched at the corners. She knew who he had been talking to. ‘By scramble I take it you mean we might have to find our own way back.’

‘Could happen.’ He patted his pocket. ‘I’ve got a compass with me.’

‘Oh, good,’ she replied, grimacing. ‘That is a comfort.’

Too close to the trees! Grace braced herself, gasping in relief as she skimmed past them and landed with a crash. Her parachute had snagged on a branch but, fortunately, it had broken and come down with her. That had been too close to disaster. As she sat on the ground winded, a couple of men silently appeared and began to gather up her chute. Strong hands were pulling her up.

‘Are you injured, Grace?’

‘No, I’m all right, but I made a lot of noise,’ she said, relieved to see Bill. ‘Are we safe?’

‘Think so, but we’d better not hang around.’ Bill began to help the two men roll up the parachutes and hide them.

They worked quickly and silently until there was no sign anyone had been there. Grace looked around anxiously and was relieved to see that the resistance men had found their precious wireless and other supplies. Bill hoisted the pack onto his back and took her arm as the men beckoned them to follow.

It was at least a mile long walk, Grace estimated, and she was pleased when a building came into sight. Although it was dark, there was no mistaking that they were on a farm because she could just see the outline of a couple of barns. They were ushered through a door, and when the lamps were relit they were in a large kitchen filled with people.

One man grinned. ‘Hello, Bill. What the devil are you up to this time?’

‘Harry! I thought you were back in England.’

‘Got delayed.’ Harry studied Grace for a moment, and then smiled. ‘Welcome to France.’

‘Thank you. My name is Grace, and I’m pleased to be here – I think.’ A deep chuckle rumbled through Harry, and she couldn’t help noticing what an attractive man he was. He was around six feet in height with black hair and deep blue eyes. She realised with a shock that she was finding this type of man very appealing. Men with physical and mental strength like Dan, James, Bill and Harry, and just the type whose chances of surviving this war were slim.

Harry turned his attention back to Bill. ‘I guess you are here to have a look at the chateau. We haven’t been able to get anywhere near the place. I thought they might send you, but you usually work alone, so why have you brought Grace with you?’

‘She’s my French lover who is showing me the countryside of her childhood while I’m on leave. She used to visit as a child with her parents and it is one of her favourite places.’

Frowning deeply at that news, Harry asked, ‘Are you intending to go in the front door?’

‘It’s the only way left. Everything else has been tried.’

‘That’s crazy and is going to be damned dangerous,’ Harry said, looking straight at Grace.

‘We know that, Harry,’ she told him.

He nodded, and then turned his attention back to Bill. ‘If you do gain entrance and your identities are discovered, we won’t be able to help you.’

‘We wouldn’t want, or expect, any of you to put yourselves in danger because of us. When we leave here, we are on our own.’

‘I don’t like it, Bill. You could both be throwing away
your lives for nothing. It might turn out to be just a glorified brothel for the officers.’

‘The feeling is that it is too well guarded for that, but you could be right. If that is the case then we can forget it, but we have to know, Harry. Now, will you introduce us to our hosts?’

The sound of voices speaking softly woke Grace and she opened her eyes. In the early morning light she could see Bill and Harry leaning against a sturdy beam in the barn loft, deep in discussion. She remained quite still, listening to the various noises of the farm awakening at dawn, and savoured the smell of the fresh straw they had been sleeping on. She had spent the night with two very attractive men, and it had seemed a perfectly normal thing to do. Bill was right. They were living in extraordinary times. Never in their wildest dreams had she and Helen imagined they would be involved in anything like this. Her life with Brian had seemed so straightforward. They would both work until they had enough money to buy a small house, then there would be a couple of children, and they would grow old together. All those plans, hopes and dreams had been cruelly swept away. This was her life now – a life where there was no room for future plans or emotional attachments. The need to win this war was all that mattered, and she would do whatever was asked of her.

‘Are you awake, Grace?’ Bill asked softly.

‘Just about.’ She hauled herself up to a sitting position. ‘What time is it?’

‘Six o’clock. We’ll go to the house now to wash and change into our other clothes. Harry is going to get us a car, and after breakfast we’ll be on our way.’

‘How are you going to get a car, Harry?’ she asked.

He gave a lopsided grin. ‘Don’t ask. See you later.’

Harry eased through the hatch.

‘Be careful,’ she said.

His head reappeared. ‘Always.’

After breakfast, Grace had a good wash in a rather primitive outhouse, and then dressed in a plain navy blue frock. It fitted perfectly and its simplicity made it quite elegant. The grandmother of the family insisted on setting her hair in an appropriate style.

‘Now you look French,’ she said with satisfaction.

Suddenly the elderly woman threw her hands up in horror, making Grace spin round to see what had alarmed her. The man who had just come into the room made her gasp, and she had to look closely to reassure herself that it really was Bill. She had once accused him of being a terrible actor, but there would be no doubt that this man was a German SS officer.

‘Oh, Bill, you gave us a fright!’

Harry returned at that moment, stopped when he saw Bill, and after a short pause he shook his head.

‘Dammit man! You’re so convincing I nearly shot you!’

‘You hesitated too long! If I had been the real thing you would have lost your chance. Did you get the car?’

‘Reprimand accepted,’ Harry told him. ‘We couldn’t get you a German one, but it’s a decent French car, and the tank is almost full of petrol. Be sparing with it because we can’t get any more. We’ve changed the number plates and the appearance of it as much as we could. It’s round the back of the barn. There is also a room booked for you at the only hotel in the village.’ Harry eyed Bill up and down. ‘Not good enough for an SS officer, of course, but you must have a base for your supposed leave.’

Bill inclined his head, and as Grace watched it was obvious he had completely switched to the character of the officer. There was a ruthless look about him, and when he turned to examine her appearance she wasn’t sure she liked this man with the cold eyes.

‘Will I do,
mon amour
?’ she asked, lifting her head and meeting his gaze while reminding herself that she had to act as if she was in love with him. She smiled. ‘Or would you like me to change into something else?’

He walked round her, inspecting her from every angle, then came to stand in front of her to run his fingers down her cheek. ‘Don’t be intimidated by the role I’m playing, Grace. I just wanted to see if I am convincing enough. You look beautiful.’

Grace actually shivered. Although Bill had smiled, there hadn’t been any warmth in his eyes.

‘Oh, you’re convincing, Bill, but you’re still going to have to be damned careful and not let the role drop for a second, or they’ll have you.’ Harry looked concerned. ‘I don’t like this idea at all. It isn’t just your life you’re chancing this time.’

‘This is something I can’t do on my own, Harry. And it wasn’t my idea.’

‘No, I don’t suppose it was. You take risks, but you always have an escape route. This time you haven’t. I just hope it’s going to be worth it.’

‘We won’t find out standing around here. Time to go,’ Bill said, shaking hands with the family who had helped them.

The grandmother kissed Grace on the cheek, but said nothing.

‘Be safe,’ Harry told them as they walked out of the door. ‘And, Grace, be prepared to be scorned when the French see you on the arm of such a man. You will be looked upon as a traitor by many.’

‘I understand, but thank you for the warning, Harry.’

‘That family took a chance with us being there, and we don’t even know their names,’ Grace said as Bill drove the car out of the farm.