Neighbours at War, page 16
As soon as they were inside the house, Babs took several cloth bags from inside her coat. ‘Mum said to bring these in case you needed them. How are you doing?’ She leant to one side and peered into the living room. ‘Are you anyway near ready?’
Their sympathy nearly dissolved her determination to stay strong. She had to think rationally and focus on not forgetting anything she might need later. ‘I’m not sure I’ve packed everything I should, but I’ve done my best. What if I leave something valuable behind?’
‘Mum said we mustn’t let you be very long,’ Peggy said apologetically. ‘She also said to remember that yours and Bobby’s safety is far more important than trinkets or photos.’
It was exactly what she needed to hear. ‘She’s right,’ Helen agreed, straightening her shoulders, knowing she daren’t allow emotions to overcome her common sense. ‘I have one or two things I need to fetch from my aunt’s room first, but I think I’m almost ready.’
‘That’s good.’ Peggy gave her an encouraging smile. ‘You’re doing really well, Helen. Truly you are. We know this is hard for you.’
Helen smiled, grateful to Peggy for her understanding, but she didn’t want to delay them in case the officers returned. She couldn’t bear to be the one to get these sweet friends into trouble.
‘I’ll be two minutes,’ she said, running upstairs, terrified she could be the cause of Peggy being sent to a prison camp if the authorities discovered that the confidentiality she had sworn to work by had been breached.
She pushed open her aunt’s bedroom door, and scanning the room, quickly opened her dressing-table drawer and took out a powder compact. Then, taking her silver-backed hairbrush, comb and mirror set that her aunt had received as a wedding present from her husband, removed the books from her coat pocket deciding to carry them instead. No one would think it odd to see someone carrying books. Helen then slipped everything she had collected from her aunt’s bedroom into her coat pocket. They were far too personal to her aunt to leave behind.
‘Bye, Aunty Sylvia,’ she whispered kissing her fingertips and touching her aunt’s headboard, feeling as if her heart was being ripped from her chest and she was losing her aunt all over again.
‘Helen? Are you coming?’
Hearing the tremble in Babs’s voice, Helen gathered herself and ran back downstairs. ‘I’m ready,’ she said aware that if they let her she would be tempted to spend the next few hours trying to choose other items to take with her.
Peggy glanced upstairs. ‘Where are the things you want us to carry next door?’
Helen pointed into the living room. ‘I’ve put everything in there.’
When the girls had gone to retrieve them, she finished putting the food and Bobby’s mug and small spoon and fork together in a basket. She hoped anyone seeing it might think it was just some shopping.
‘Ready?’ Babs asked from the kitchen door.
‘I think so.’ Helen held up the house keys. ‘Should I take these? There’s another pair I’ve left on the kitchen table for them to use. They were Aunt Sylvia’s.’
Peggy nodded. ‘I’d leave the front door unlocked, so there’s no need for them to break down the door, but keep one set so that you can let yourself in when this war ends.’
‘If it ends,’ Babs grumbled angrily.
The thought of the war ending and being able to move back in gave Helen hope. ‘You think I’ll be able to live here again?’
‘I hope so,’ Peggy said, motioning for them to leave.
‘Come along, you two,’ Babs said. ‘We don’t want to be here when they come back.’
No, Helen thought, terrified at the prospect, they didn’t.
Chapter Thirty-Two
PEGGY
Peggy was astonished to find her mother up in the attic, sweeping the floor. She stood at the top of the narrow staircase her mother always hated using and stared into the large room that covered the entire width and length of the house. ‘You’ve been working hard up here, Mum. You must be shattered.’
Her mother went to reply but was consumed by a sneezing fit. ‘The ruddy cobwebs are everywhere.’ Ida brushed her hand over the scarf she had tied around her head to cover her hair and shuddered. ‘You and Babs can finish off this cleaning, while I go and find something for Helen and that little boy to sleep on. Then we can sort out those bits of furniture in that corner. We need to make this place as cosy as possible for them.’
It was going to take some doing, Peggy realised. It was only September, but it was a cool day and already felt colder up here than it did downstairs. Peggy wondered how the pair of them would cope during the depths of winter but pushed her concerns aside. There was plenty of time in the coming months to find solutions. It wasn’t as if Helen had anywhere better to hide.
She stepped into the attic and took the broom and dustpan from her mother. ‘Maybe ask Babs to bring up a mop and bucket with some hot water in it. Then we can wash the floors, too.’ As her mother went down to the next landing, Peggy had another thought. ‘You can ask her to bring up the rug from my room and the one from hers too. They’ll help make this place a bit more comfortable.’
By the time she and her sister had finished, Peggy thought they had done a decent job.
‘How’s it going up here?’ Helen asked joining them. Her mouth opened in surprise. ‘Gosh, it’s much nicer than our attic next door. We have to climb through a hatch. And it’s dusty and full of boxes, bits of furniture and old paintings.’
Peggy laughed. ‘This one wasn’t much better a few hours ago.’ She leant on the mop handle. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, and trying not to think too deeply about everything.’ She smiled. ‘You’ve all been incredibly generous and kind.’
Peggy shook her head. ‘You’re our friend, Helen. And we’re only doing the neighbourly thing.’
‘I’d like to think that was true of all neighbours,’ Helen said. ‘But I suspect it’s not the case. Anyhow, I’ve unpacked the small amount of food we managed to bring from next door and your mum has hidden some of it in her basement. She seemed happy with what I’ve brought, which makes me feel a bit better about everything.’
‘You need to stop feeling badly about all this,’ Peggy said, hoping to reassure her. ‘It’s not your doing that led you here and I don’t want you to forget that. I’d already come up with the idea last night, actually, before those officers forced us to move a little quicker on it.’
She could see by Helen’s concerned expression that she wasn’t convinced.
‘It’s true, Helen. These are exceptional times. We can only do the best with what we have.’
‘I know you’re right, but I already felt guilty about Aunt Sylvia taking me in, and how drastically her life must have changed when I turned up on her doorstep. I feel such a burden.’
Peggy leant the mop against the sloping roof. ‘Now you listen to me. We all know you and Bobby meant the world to your aunt. Imagine how frightening it would have been for her to live alone for the past year. Then, when she became ill, having you there to help her meant an awful lot, and Bobby kept her company. It was plain for us all to see how much joy you both brought into Sylvia’s life. You should never feel guilty about that.’
Helen was about to argue, but Peggy raised her hand to stop her, clearly having no intention of letting her continue until she had finished having her say. ‘Babs and I are so grateful for your friendship. We’ve loved seeing your aunt happy, and I know Mum loves Bobby. Spending time with him has given her a new lease of life.’ She smiled, sadly. ‘She struggled for a long time to come to terms with losing Dad, and she dotes on that little boy, so please forget any concerns you have.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
‘Good, that’s settled then. Now, as soon as this floor has dried you can help me make up a bed for you both.’
Chapter Thirty-Three
HELEN
That night, as Helen lay on the mattress cuddling Bobby, she stared out of the window at the stars in the inky black sky and wondered at how quickly everything had changed. The day had passed in a blur. Her mind was still spinning from the drama of having to pack essentials and sneak them over to this house, which was so similar in layout to number 2.
It helped to know her aunt’s home was on the other side of the stone wall separating the properties. Although, she mused, it was also painful to think that it was within touching distance and yet permanently separated from her.
She looked around the attic space, which now held a small table and a clean leather suitcase with her and Bobby’s clothes folded neatly inside. Babs was going to help her make it more homely the following day, and Ida had promised to cut down a pair of old curtains, so that Helen could shut out the night whenever she wanted to. Now, though, she was happy to be able to lie here as the rest of the house slept and watch the same stars that she had always seen from her own window.
Bobby stirred in her arms and Helen realised she needed to try and sleep. There was still a lot to do if she and her little boy were to make this cavernous room their home for the foreseeable future.
She woke to Bobby giggling and poking her gently in the eye.
‘Ouch,’ she said, pretending to be shocked and making him curl up in amusement. ‘Cheeky boy!’ She laughed, tickling him and wishing he would stay like this, unfazed by all that was going to happen to them over the coming months and, she thought, feeling sick, possibly years. She shook her head to banish the troublesome thought and tickled him again.
Bobby jumped out of bed and ran off across the wooden floor. It occurred to Helen how noisy his footsteps might become as he grew. She would have to find slippers or footwear with a soft sole if she was to ensure he wasn’t heard downstairs. Thoughts raced through her mind as she realised that the two of them would need to make many adjustments if they were to remain hidden from the Nazis.
Helen sighed and wondered if she was doing the right thing, putting Bobby into this prison, albeit one looked over by friends.
‘What’s that sigh for?’ came a voice behind her. She turned to see Babs at the attic door carrying a jug of water. ‘Mum sent this up so you can wash.’ She opened her arms for Bobby to run into them. ‘How’s my favourite boy?’
Helen took the jug and set it down on the deep windowsill, where Peggy had left a bowl, two facecloths and neatly folded towels.
‘How did you sleep?’ Babs asked, giving Bobby a cuddle before letting him go and watching him run off to find his toy bunny.
‘Well, actually. The mattress is comfortable.’
Babs frowned thoughtfully. ‘Something’s wrong, though, I can tell.’
‘I’m still concerned about the three of you taking us on and the risk that goes with it, but I’m also worried about him.’ She indicated Bobby with a tilt of her head. ‘Am I doing the right thing by taking him into hiding?’
Babs gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I can’t see you have much choice. If you’re not here, you’ll have to hide somewhere else on the island or be deported, and surely you can’t think that would be a better option.’
Helen shook her head. ‘I don’t.’ She pressed the heels of her hands against her tired eyes. ‘I just wish there was a third option.’
‘What, like the war had never happened?’ Babs teased, giving her a sympathetic look.
‘Something like that, yes.’
‘If only that was the case.’ Babs took Bunny from Bobby and pretended to hide it in her cardigan. He squealed and tugged open one side, laughing when Babs pulled the toy out and waved it in his face before handing it to him. ‘Anyway, Mum said you’re both to come down to the kitchen and eat something. I think she’s worried they’ll come searching for you both sometime today and wants to be certain you’ve eaten.’
‘That’s kind of her.’
‘I’ll leave you both to get dressed.’
Helen watched her friend leave, closing the attic door behind her. ‘Come along, poppet. Let’s get you ready for breakfast.’
Peggy poured Helen a cup of weak tea and placed a couple of toasted bread soldiers for Bobby to eat on the table in front of where he was sitting on Ida’s lap. ‘I was thinking we need to set up an area for you both to hide in when you’re in the attic,’ Peggy said.
‘A hiding place within their hiding place?’ Babs said in between sips of her tea. ‘Is that necessary?’
‘I agree with Peggy,’ Ida said, handing Bobby the next piece of toast. ‘We can’t be too careful.’
Peggy continued, ‘I thought we could block off part of the eaves on one side and make a small section at one end into a cubby hole for the pair of you to go if any soldiers do go up there searching for you. That might work.’
Helen tried to picture what she meant. ‘But who will make it? I don’t have any carpentry skills.’
‘I’m sure I could, with help,’ Peggy said, ‘and we have enough pieces of wood and boarding stacked up there to be able to do it. What do you think?’
Helen shrugged. ‘If you think it’s necessary, then I’m happy to go along with it.’
‘It only needs to be somewhere small that you two can fit into. We can arrange the room so that it won’t be obvious when they do come.’
‘Don’t you mean if they come?’ Babs asked.
‘No, it’ll be when,’ Peggy said with an assurance that frightened Helen. ‘Don’t think we won’t be the first place they look, Babs. I’ve had enough dealings with these men to know they are clever, thorough and above all determined. We will need to be prepared for any eventuality and must never underestimate them. I have had an idea what to do and I’ll get started as soon as we finish eating.’
‘I’ll help you,’ Helen said, wanting everything ready as soon as possible. She hated small spaces but if it meant keeping Bobby safe then she would hide wherever Peggy thought best. ‘I’m going to need to clear everything away each morning too, just in case they do come unexpectedly, and we don’t have time to make the room look uninhabited.’
Peggy gave her a reassuring smile. ‘I can see I’ve frightened you and I don’t mean to. I promise we’ll make a good job of it. I have no intention of letting them find you.’
If only that was all it took, Helen thought, sipping her tea and struggling to swallow.
Chapter Thirty-Four
PEGGY
Peggy pulled the paper from her typewriter with such vigour the page tore in half. ‘Damn it,’ she grumbled, crumpling it up, before realising she would need to keep it to copy if she didn’t want to start the translation from scratch.
She was halfway through retyping it, when there was a single knock on her office door and a German officer walked in. He locked eyes with her and didn’t move for a few seconds. Unsure why he was acting so oddly, Peggy tore her eyes from his gaze and straightened the pile of papers on her desk.
He still didn’t speak and, not seeing anything in his hands, she forced herself to address him. ‘Is there something you wanted?’
‘Ich, er, I must fetch a document.’
She frowned, trying to work out which one. Most of the Germans she came in contact with seemed confident but this one didn’t and was acting strangely.
‘Do you know which document?’
He considered her question before shaking his head.
Why on earth was he acting so oddly? ‘Is something the matter?’
‘The matter?’
‘Wrong. Is something wrong?’
He frowned then shook his head.
Realising she should speak German to him, Peggy asked what he wanted from her in his own language. Finally understanding her, he mentioned the Order about the deportations. The tone and look of sadness on his face led her to assume he was upset about what the islanders were soon to discover. Aware he might have been sent to test her level of secrecy and whether she would be vocal about her feelings, she decided to hurry up and get rid of him. Quickly looking through her work, she gathered several completed transcripts and put them into an envelope.
‘These need to be taken today, so maybe one of them is what you’re looking for.’ She held out the envelope, waiting for him to take it, feeling more uncomfortable as the seconds passed and he didn’t move.
She heard footsteps outside her office door, and a knock she recognised. ‘Come in,’ she called, delighted that Tony had chosen that moment to visit her.
He walked in, noticed the officer and stepped back out of the doorway. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were busy.’ He looked from her to the officer, who was now staring intently at Tony, eyes narrowed. He was clearly interested in who Tony was, and not wishing him to stay any longer than was necessary, Peggy decided to introduce them. ‘Captain – er, I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’
Without taking his eyes from Tony, he said, ‘Captain Heinrich Engel.’
‘Captain Engel, this is Advocate Le Gresley. His father is the senior partner at this firm.’
The captain clicked his heels together and gave a curt nod but seemed pleased to discover that Tony had a reason for coming to her office.
‘Would you rather I came back later?’ Tony asked, sounding as if that was the last thing he hoped to hear.
‘No,’ she said forcing a smile. ‘The captain has what he came for.’ Turning to the officer, she added, ‘Is that correct?’
He thought for a moment before giving a curt nod. ‘Goodbye, Miss Hamel.’
Tony waited for him to go, then closed the door. ‘Well, he was a bit odd, don’t you think?’
‘Very.’ She shivered. ‘I can’t tell you how relieved I was when you arrived.’
He walked towards her and opened his arms. Feeling them around her as he held her calmed her slightly. ‘He gave me the strangest feeling. There was something about him.’
