Operation Kingfisher (26 page)

She looked up into his eyes; kind, blue eyes, full of concern, and
she thought suddenly: he is going to kiss me. At last, he’s going to kiss me. She lifted her face to his and half closed her eyes.

But Cyrano turned away and went to fetch his music case. When he came back, his tone was different.

‘You’d better get going. I don’t want you out after curfew, on top of everything else. Come on.’

He went to the door and opened it for her. She paused a moment beside him.

‘See you tomorrow?’

‘Yes. Ten o’clock. Ride carefully.’

Cycling home, she put aside her momentary disappointment. Luke was safe, that was the important thing. And perhaps Cyrano was shy, or perhaps he felt it would be unprofessional to start a relationship. He was attracted to her, she felt sure of that. Sooner or later, it would happen. She would make it happen.

Cyrano was waiting for her when she arrived at the ruined cottage, with her hair waved and her face carefully made up, and within half an hour they were in the hallway of the
château
which had been given over for use as a
Maquis
hospital. Dr Martell met them on the stairs.

‘He’s doing well, but I want him kept quiet for the next few days. There is a possibility of a fractured skull. He needs to lie still and rest, until we can be sure that there is no serious damage. I’ve put him in a private room so that he is not disturbed.’

Luke was lying almost flat. His forearm was in a cast and the flesh around one eye was bruised and yellow. Christine hurried over to the bed and bent to kiss his cheek.

‘Oh, darling, I’m so thankful you’re all right! You poor thing! How are you feeling?’

‘Not too bad. Better than this time yesterday.’ He managed a smile. ‘That’s the first time you’ve called me darling.’

‘Well, don’t get used to it. And don’t make a habit of taking risks like that. Maman would never forgive me if she knew what you were doing.’

‘Talk about pots and kettles! Are you all right? I’m sorry I gave you a scare.’

‘More than a scare! I’ve never been so frightened in my life. But Cyrano has been wonderful. He looks after me.’ She gave the older man a brilliant smile as he came to the other side of the bed.

‘I would, if she’d let me,’ he said. ‘But she’s a very determined girl, your sister.’

‘You don’t have to tell me,’ Luke said. ‘Pig headed, is the word I’d use. Anyway, thanks for trying. By the way, what’s happened to those people who held me prisoner?’

‘Gregoire went to see them yesterday. I don’t think they’ll make the same mistake again. And the idiot who took a pot shot at you has been disciplined by Vincent. Thank God he’s not as good a shot as you are.’

‘I suppose I’ve been lucky, really.’ He shifted restlessly. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve got cigarette?’

‘Here.’ Cyrano produced a packet. ‘Want me to light one for you?’

‘Please.’

Cyrano lit the cigarette and put it between Luke’s lips. Then he laid the packet down on the bedside table. ‘There are only a couple left in there. I’ll go and see if I can rustle up any more. I’ll be back to collect you in a while, Chris.’

When he had gone, Christine clicked her tongue disapprovingly. ‘You never used to smoke.’

‘Well, I do now. And you never used to wear lipstick.’

She felt herself blush. ‘It’s what I wear for working at the hotel.’

‘You’re not at the hotel now. I bet you put it on for Cyrano’s benefit.’

‘Well, why shouldn’t I? Don’t you like me like this?’

He looked at her. ‘Actually, it suits you. And the way you’ve got your hair. I’m just not sure it’s … well, appropriate.’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

He shifted uncomfortably and she said, ‘Would you like another pillow?’

‘Not allowed, unfortunately. Martell says I have to lie flat for
at least three days. I even have to be spoon-fed and drink from a cup shaped like a teapot. It’s humiliating.’

She leaned over and stroked his hair. ‘Poor thing! But you must do as you’re told. You’ve got to get well again.’

‘I’m OK. I keep telling them that.’

‘Well, you will be back on your feet soon. Try to be patient.’

‘Hey, guess who is here, working as a nurse.’

Christine smiled. ‘Adrienne. I know. I think she was suddenly inspired to “do her bit”. Is she any good?’

‘Yes, actually. She’s very gentle, and she doesn’t seem to mind doing all the … you know, all the less pleasant things that nurses have to do.’

‘Good for her.’

There was a silence. After a moment he said, ‘You like Cyrano, don’t you?’

‘Of course I do. So do you, don’t you?’

‘It’s not the same.’

‘I don’t know what you’re getting at.’

‘Yes, you do.’ He reached for her hand. ‘Chris, he’s years older than you.’

‘So what?’

‘Well, just don’t … don’t expect anything.’

‘Oh, shut up, Luke. Just mind your own business.’

Cyrano returned.

‘I’m sorry, Luke. It seems the hospital has run out of cigarettes. But I know there are plenty at the camp. Some of our lads held up a delivery last week, so we’ve got supplies for the next month, at least. I’ll bring you some this afternoon.’

He returned as promised, with two packets of cigarettes. After the usual exchange of pleasantries, they both fell silent, until Luke said, ‘Cyrano, I want to ask you something.’

‘Ask away.’

‘Is anything going on between you and Chris?’

‘What!’ Cyrano stared at him. ‘I can’t imagine what you’re driving at.’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘I do not! What do you take me for? She’s just a kid.’

‘Not any more. Haven’t you noticed how she’s changed lately?’

‘She’s certainly grown up a lot over the last few months. But that happens, doesn’t it?’

‘It’s more than that. She never wore make-up or bothered about her hair. And it’s all for your benefit.’

‘No, it isn’t. It’s being with Jeanette at the hotel. She’s taught her all that.’

‘You can’t teach Chris anything she doesn’t want to know. Haven’t you noticed the way she is around you?’

‘Well, a little bit of harmless flirting. She’s trying out her wings.’

‘That may be all it is to you. Don’t you realize she’s in love with you?’

‘Oh, well. An adolescent crush.… Look, I’m fond of Chris. I’m fond of both of you. But that’s as far as it goes.’

‘I don’t think she sees it that way.’

‘You mean she’s expecting … something different? An affair?’

‘Something more permanent, I should imagine.’

Cyrano ran his hand through his hair.

‘Oh, my God! What a fool I’ve been! What a blind, stupid fool! I never dreamed.… For God’s sake, I’m ten years older than she is, at least.’

‘I think she doesn’t see that as a problem.’

He sighed deeply. ‘Poor kid! I would never have willingly hurt her. You do know that, don’t you?’

‘I believe you. The question is, what do we do about it now? I don’t want to see my sister’s heart broken.’

‘Of course you don’t. Nor do I. She’s such a great kid! Brave and intelligent – and beautiful, too. I’ll have to explain, somehow.’

‘Let her down gently, won’t you?’

‘Yes, of course. I’ll do my best.’

‘You won’t tell her I’ve said anything, will you?’

‘No, no. I think … I think it will be better if she doesn’t realize that I’ve guessed how she feels. I’ll try to keep it as low key as
possible … just give her the hint that, well, that we can never be more than friends.’

‘I think that sounds the best way.’

Cyrano got up. ‘I’d better get back. Is there anything else you need?’

‘No, I’m OK. Thanks for the cigarettes.’

Cyrano hesitated, looking down at Luke. ‘No hard feelings?’

‘No, of course not.’ Luke offered his hand and Cyrano took it in a firm grasp.

When Cyrano had gone, Luke fidgeted uncomfortably. The day was very hot and although he was naked under a single sheet, he could feel sweat pricking and itching in his armpits and his groin. He longed to get up and join the other men for a dip in the cool waters of the spring, back at the camp. The door opened to admit Adrienne carrying a bowl and a bundle of clean linen.

‘There, now your visitor has gone I expect you would like a nice wash. It’s very hot today.’

‘Yes, it is. I wish I could get up and have a bath.’

‘
Pauvre petit!
Well, we must do our best to make you comfortable.’

She squeezed out a sponge and bathed his face with cool water. Close to, he could smell her perfume. She was not wearing make-up and her luxuriant blonde hair was captured in a pleat at the back of her head, but her skin was smooth and the lashes round her deep blue eyes were thick and darker than her hair. He took all this in as she leaned over him, and then his eyes moved to the hint of cleavage in the open V of her overall, and the outline of her breasts. She finished washing his face and moved down to his neck and then his shoulders. When she took hold of the sheet to pull it back he grabbed it.

‘No, please!’

She looked at him with her head slightly on one side.

‘What are you worried about? You think I haven’t seen a naked man before?’

‘No, it’s just ….’ He floundered into silence.

She smiled. ‘What have you got to be shy about? You are a beautiful young man. You will feel so much better afterwards.’

She drew the sheet back to his feet and in spite of all his efforts at control, his penis reared up in response. She looked from it to his face and said softly, ‘I think you are an innocent. You have never made love to a woman. Am I right?’

He nodded, too ashamed to speak.

‘Then we shall put that right at once.’ She leaned down and kissed him on the mouth, and at the same time her fingers undid the buttons of her overall, and he saw that beneath it she too, was naked. ‘
Chéri
,’ she murmured, ‘there is nothing for you to worry about. This is a once only event and there will be no consequences, no obligation, for either of us. Think of it as part of your education.’

Afterwards she washed him all over and even changed the sheets on the bed. ‘So, roll over on your right side for me. That’s right. Now back the other way. There, isn’t that better?’

‘You’re very good at this,’ he said, then, blushing, ‘I mean the nursing bit.’

‘At all of it, I hope. No, don’t look like that. I know what you mean. When I was a girl, my mother was very ill. I learned then how to look after her.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

‘It was a long time ago now.’

He stretched. His body felt smooth and relaxed, as never before.

‘When you said this was a once only.…’

‘I meant it.’ She stroked his cheek with cool fingers. ‘Soon you will find a girl to love and she will love you. Do not tell her where you learned to make love so well. Let her think it is her beauty that has inspired you.’

‘I shall never forget this,’ he said huskily. ‘I shall always be grateful.’

She bent and kissed him on the forehead. ‘And I shall remember, too, with great pleasure. Now, I must go. There is still work to do. But not such enjoyable work, I think.’

She winked at him, picked up her bowl and the dirty linen and left.

Next morning, Christine found a note in the tobacco tin: ‘Meet me this evening. Usual place.’

She did her hair and make-up with special care, and sought out Adrienne, who had just come back from the hospital.

‘Could you possibly let me have a dab of that perfume you wear?’

‘Oh ho!’ the older woman exclaimed. ‘You have a date tonight. Who is he?’

‘I can’t tell you. Not yet.’

‘Well, here. Help yourself. Not too much, now. You don’t want to scare the poor boy off. There, let me look at you. Very good! He is a lucky young man, whoever he is.’

Christine arrived at the church earlier than the appointed time, but Cyrano was already there, playing the organ. The music was something she did not recognize, something slow and meditative. It took the edge off her mood of eager anticipation. The organ fell silent and a nervous quiver ran through her body. A moment later he was sitting beside her.

‘Hello. How are you this evening?’

‘OK. You?’

‘I’m fine, thanks.’

‘How are things up at the camp?’

‘Busy. The
Boche
are getting more active. They attacked the
Maquis Socrate
two days ago and he and his men had to beat a quick retreat and find a new base. Then yesterday, four of our lads were out on a foraging expedition and they ran slap into a German ambush and had to shoot their way out. Fortunately, I think the
Boche
were just as surprised as they were and they got away with only minor wounds. What’s the mood like in the town?’

‘A bit subdued. People are glad that the farmers have their animals back, but they are beginning to talk about reprisals.’

‘I’m afraid that will come. But if we worried about that, we’d have to give up and go home. But there’s good news from the real war. Monty’s forces have landed in Italy and the Italians have asked for an armistice.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’

‘Yes, it should shorten the war by months. Our armies can march straight through Italy and attack the Germans from the south – what Churchill calls “the soft underbelly” of Europe. Oh, and another thing. You remember I told you, none of those gunboats you told us about ever reached the Med? The RAF finished them off on the Saône. Apparently, Winnie sent his personal congratulations.’

‘That’s fantastic news!’ She looked at him and felt a glow of pride. Then a new thought dimmed it. ‘Do you think the war might all be over by Christmas?’

‘I hesitate to pin too many hopes on that. We seem to have heard it all before. But you never know. The Russians are making headway in the north. Maybe Hitler will see the game’s up and sue for peace.’

She hesitated. ‘It’s an awful thing to say, but part of me hopes he won’t. I don’t want it to be all over before I have a chance to join in.’

‘You’ve done your bit, far more than most other girls. What you need, what we all need now, is a chance to get back to our normal lives. Oh, speaking of that, there’s something I want to show you.’ He reached into a pocket and drew out an envelope. ‘We had another
parachutage
– well, you know about that because you recced the location for us. There were letters from home, as usual. But there has been so much going on I nearly forgot about these.’ He paused. ‘We’re not supposed to tell anyone about our personal lives, back home. But I want to show you these.’