His focus flicked from her to Konstantin and she could tell Vincent was stalling, and then she knew why. ‘I am sorry, Konstantin, Yvette, but I have terrible news.’
When he had arrived in Nantes at the home of his contact Olivier, Vincent was met with a chaotic scene, grave news and a cache of documents. The members of the Choir Network were moving out, disbanding and heading south, panicked that they might only have hours, minutes to spare. Olivier suspected an informer had given them up, it was too much of a coincidence as they had been so careful.
At first Vincent didn’t understand and the look of confusion on his face clearly warranted a fuller but hasty explanation. The documents were stolen from the Gestapo offices in the city, a daring raid co-ordinated by a close-knit team, one that Olivier trusted with his life. The information would be of great use to the Allies and Resistance alike, detailing troop and ammunition movements that were heading north, to the coast. It had clearly been a step too far and now the Boche were rounding people up like crazed animals and one of their own was amongst them.
Before he even spoke the words, Yvette knew who it was, the name Vincent would say would break her heart. That cold hand of dread ran its fingers all over her body and rested on her lips which froze, numb, too afraid to speak.
Vincent reached out and took her hands in his. ‘I am sorry, Yvette, but they took Estelle.’ Then he turned his head to Konstantin. ‘And Anatoly.’
Yvette was aware of Teddy placing his hand on Konstantin’s shoulders, her eyes meeting those of her devastated comrade. Neither of them spoke, leaving Vincent to fill the space.
‘I didn’t want to leave immediately, I hoped that maybe Olivier was wrong so I stayed, staking out the apartment, praying that they had got away or would be released after questioning, but I knew in my heart I was fooling only myself. I had to make a choice, and I knew there was nothing I could do for Estelle and Anatoly, but I could save us, so I came back. Someone must have given Estelle away, and now I fear that we too are in danger, we could be next even if she or Anatoly don’t crack.’
That was it, the word, the image, the horror that Yvette could not bear to contemplate – what was happening to Estelle right now? Covering her mouth with her hand Yvette battled to hold in the scream because once it was out, she thought she would never stop. Her whole body trembled and even when Vincent pulled her to him, it didn’t stop. Then it was Konstantin’s turn to speak.
‘Where did they take them?’
‘To the prison. Someone saw them being put into the truck and followed by bicycle.’
A nod from Konstantin. ‘What do we do now? You said your circuit is betrayed, what about us. Should we go on alone?’
Yvette was watching Konstantin through eyes that seemed not to blink, they just stared, disbelieving, while her brain processed what she was hearing. Konstantin looked like a man who had been punched in the face but refused to fall, expecting another blow and hardening himself before it hit. Although expressionless, his eyes were black pools of anger, the hate they reflected burning through the darkness of the cave.
‘No, we will take you. We cannot remain here now.’ Pushing Yvette gently away from his body he spoke to her first. ‘Listen to me, Yvette. I want you to take everyone to the Chateau Motte Glain, you know where it is, we went there once, remember, to collect ammunition?’
He was willing her with his eyes to focus, she could tell. So she nodded, her voice still not found.
‘There is a small track that leads alongside, it is marked by a large rock carved with a cross, follow it to the end and wait there by the shrine until Florian and I arrive. Do not go with anyone else, or show yourself, do you understand?’
‘But where are you going? Why can’t we all go now, together.’
Vincent took her by the shoulders and spoke softly. ‘Because I have to warn the others, Xavier, Benoit, Claude, Thierry, Florian. They need to disappear quickly but once I have found them, I will come back then we will head for the coast.’
Yvette nodded, her voice when it came belied the fear she felt inside. ‘Be quick, it must be getting dark outside.’
‘Good, now come, we will leave together.’
Outside the cave, it would have been good to breathe fresh air had Yvette’s chest not been constricted. The light was fading, and it was imperative they reached the chateau before nightfall. She knew her way during the day but with only the light of a half-moon it would be impossible.
It was time to go their separate ways and it took Yvette all of whatever strength she possessed not to crumble, that and pride. She could not let Vincent, or the others, see weakness. They were relying on her now.
When Vincent spoke, it was to all of them. ‘If I am not there by midnight go without me. It is just over two hundred kilometres and should take you around two days on foot. Travel by night and be vigilant during the day. Do you remember the route I told you? There are two safe houses along the way, the home of Etienne in the village of Marcy and Davide in Anse. They will help you. London know that you are en route, our radio operator has already been moved but sent the message first. All you have to do is wait for the signal. Davide will do the rest.’
‘But why are you saying this? You only have to go to the village, it won’t take long, I don’t understand.’ Yvette was angry now, this wasn’t the plan, they were going together, that was the end of it.
‘Just in case I am delayed, Yvette, that is all. If you reach the coast before me wait there if it makes you feel better, there is a small beacon on the headland at Bonaparte Beach, you’ll know it when you see it.’ He gave Yvette a smile, one of courage, bestowing belief, like that a parent gives to a child. It did not convince the adult.
Turning, Vincent faced Konstantin, his voice lighter, faking levity in a dire situation. ‘Konstantin, my friend, you can use your so-called navigational skills to assist Yvette, head in this direction, keep the moon to your left.’ With his arm Vincent signalled the route.
Even though she could hear the words Yvette did not want to acknowledge them, especially the next, those meant solely for her. As Vincent pulled her to one side, the other three men averted their eyes.
Vincent’s hands cupped Yvette’s face as he spoke. ‘I want you to go now and be brave and promise me you will not come back to find me if I am not there at midnight. Say it, Yvette, say you promise.’
Even though she was weeping inside, her body almost limp with despair, Yvette forced herself to be strong. ‘I promise, and I won’t let you down. I will see you soon. Here, take the gun, not that you will need it. Now hurry.’ She pulled the firearm from her pocket and wordlessly Vincent placed it in the bag.
‘I love you.’ Her words were a whisper.
His identical. ‘I love you too.’
