‘He’s just far from home and might be a bit scared himself, who knows. Now let me speak with Florian.’ She gave him a peck on the cheek at which he looked abashed, then motioned to Florian to join her.
In hurried conversation, she learned that the pirate was actually a Russian navigator who’d been moved from Nantes along with the other two young men, the ashen bespectacled chap was a Jewish doctor, the taller more assured man was an English pilot, both were needed back in England as soon as possible.
Some evaders took the southern route over the Pyrenees through Spain, these three were destined for the northern route. All being well, they would be delivered along the line to a pick-up point in Brittany and collected by a navy gunboat, once the coded signal from London came through. All being well, there would also be another evader added to the group, a Russian pilot, Anatoly, the brother of Konstantin.
Once she’d got the gist of things, Florian went back to the truck, the charcoal fumes catching in her throat as she waved at Polo whose head and half his body hung out the window as they drove away.
Turning to her charges, Yvette pointed towards the fields beyond the lane. ‘Come, we need to get going, follow me.’ Obeying, they followed closely behind as she set off.
The location of the hideout was a ten-minute walk away, along a narrow farmer’s track that then led through unplanted fields of churned up earth and sprouting tufts of whatever seeds the wind had carried there. It was the Russian man with the scar who spoke first.
‘Where are we going? We need to take cover; it is too exposed here.’
Yvette conceded. ‘Yes, it is, but have patience and keep walking, we are nearly there.’
‘Nearly where, another field? We have passed through three already and I see nowhere to hide.’
Choosing not to answer, she ignored her curious companion. Yvette kept to the thicket-lined edge of the field that was now sloping downwards and had the Russian looked behind him, he would have realised they were now out of sight of the track and the road. At the foot of the incline was a stream, running freely, and had she followed to the left, it would have brought her to Vincent’s hut. Instead she turned right and walked on until their route appeared blocked by a copse of rowan and wild cherry trees, with the odd silver birch peeking above the rest. To skirt around it would mean getting your shoes soggy on the bank of the stream but instead, Yvette began pushing her way through the middle of the trees, holding back the branches for the Russian who did the same for the others until they were immersed, emerging on the other side at the base of the hill. There was a gap, a body’s width, enough to squeeze along for a few paces where Yvette stopped in front of a three-metre-high entrance, braced by oak framework and covered by an iron grille. Taking a key from her pocket she unlocked the padlock that secured the chain before pushing it inwards, signalling that the men should move inside, then secured the grille behind them.
‘It’s dark but if you close your eyes and run your hands along the wall it’s easier to walk, only about twenty metres and we will be there.’
They continued along the tunnel, the men crouching lower than Yvette who soon reached another door, this one solid oak and with her eyes closed – she always found it better that way – she felt for the keyhole with her fingers. The large iron key slotted in easily and hearing the click, she pushed open the door. Before entering the expanse of darkness before her, Yvette reached to her left and removed the dynamo torch hanging from the hook and clicked it on. Using its weak light she methodically moved along the wall and using the matches that were left there she began lighting the strategically placed candles, slowly illuminating a vast cave, casting a golden glow on the oak casks that were stored there. Once there was enough light to see, she returned to the men where the Russian had another question.
‘What is this place?’
‘It’s one of many in the area, where the farmers keep their wine, and some grow mushrooms. We keep evaders safe in this one.’
The Russian nodded.
Yvette surveyed the group. ‘You, what shall I call you?’
The tallest one with the mop of curly hair stepped forward when she nodded in his direction. ‘Teddy, Miss.’
‘Right, Teddy, can you carry on lighting these?’ Yvette smiled when he responded immediately. She imagined they really were scared, and a little kindness in a harsh unknown world wouldn’t go amiss. ‘Now, you two, what shall I call you?’
‘I’m Jakob.’ The spectacled man replied.
Then the Russian. ‘Konstantin.’
‘Right, Jakob and Konstantin, it’s not the most comfortable of places but you are safe here. It’s impossible to be followed without seeing your pursuer and remote too.’ Yvette made her way to the end of the cave and pointed to some folded blankets.
‘Another good thing, it’s dry down here and not too cold this time of year and before you ask, the barrels are empty, but I do have a treat for you.’ Reaching behind one of the casks, she pulled out two bottles of wine. ‘This should keep you a little warmer and tomorrow I will bring food but for tonight, you can help yourselves to the vegetables in the box over there, it’s all we have, I’m afraid. It’s just as dangerous bringing you food as moving you on. If I’m stopped, they’ll want to know where I’m going so there is only so much I can carry, but I will do my best.’
Konstantin spoke next. ‘I don’t suppose you could get your hands on some vodka and perhaps a jar of caviar… that would be excellent.’ His eyes creased at the corners, and his smile was infectious.
Yvette smiled, realising she had a cheeky one on her hands. ‘Like I said, Konstantin, I’ll see what I can do.’
Teddy had returned, the candles around the cave lit. Yvette had to leave soon, it would be getting dark and she couldn’t use a torch, especially not the one hanging on the hook that had been salvaged from a downed plane.
‘Now, rules, so listen. There are two spare keys here.’ She picked up a set from the top of a barrel and showed them to her audience. ‘They are solely for emergencies. If we are captured, and it is always a possibility, the last thing we want is for you to be trapped in here. These are only to be used if we have not visited you for more than five days. If this occurs, you will know something is wrong. The longer you can survive here the better, stay hidden, but then it will be up to you to decide what to do. Other than that, you are forbidden to go outside.’ It was an ominous statement but important nevertheless.
‘There is a bucket over there for the obvious, it can be emptied by one of you when we bring food. There is water in the bottles in the corner. It is from the stream and drinkable. It’s up to you how many candles you light, please use them wisely. Do not open the door for anyone. We will let ourselves in. We have more keys. Now, are there any questions?’
Jakob said, ‘How long will we be here?’
‘I have no idea but when I get news, I will inform you.’
Teddy remained silent. Konstantin didn’t. ‘When will you bring my brother? I will not leave without him.’
