Page 97 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

“I always knew you were a wonderful person,” he said.

“No, you didn’t. You thought I was an annoying, spoiled Englishwoman.” She laughed.

“Well, I’ve changed my mind.”

“Look, Nico,” she said, still considering this, “I can only agree for myself. It’s possible the others will not want to put themselves in danger. You’d have to ask them.”

“Are they already in bed?”

“They went up some time ago,” Ellie said.

“Then I’ll come back in the morning and explain it to them,” he said.

Ellie sensed he was about to leave. “You must be hungry, and thirsty.”

“I’ve managed to grab a bite here and there,” he replied. “But I wouldn’t say no to a glass of wine, if you still have any.”

“We have a few bottles still,” she said. “Come through to the kitchen.”

Nico paused, looking up the stairs. “That man you have staying here, the viscount. Is he safe, do you think?”

“Certainly not a fan of the Germans,” she replied. “The officers have taken over his château and turned him out with only the clothes on his back. They also kept his servants and have helped themselves to his wine cellar. So no, I don’t think he’d want to report us to them.”

“Good. But I think the less he knows about our little operation the better.”

“That’s all right,” Ellie replied. “The viscount has no contact at all with the village. If he sees a strange man having a drink with us, we can tell him it’s a neighbour who has come to visit.”

“Just watch what you say in front of him.”

“Yes. Definitely.” Ellie took down a bottle of wine from the shelf and poured Nico a glass. Then she put out bread and goat cheese. He ate and drank with relish. “That was just what I needed,” he said, getting up to go. “Now what I need is a good night’s sleep. I don’t think I’ve had one in a while.”

“You’re welcome to stay here,” she said. “You know I made up a bed for you.”

“Tempting.” His eyes held hers. “But I feel responsible for my mother. She worries. I need to go home. I’ll be back in the morning. Perhaps you could brief the Englishmen before I come, so they are not too surprised.”

“Yes. I’ll do that.” She walked with him to the front door. “Good night, then. Go carefully.”

He paused. “I have an absurd desire to kiss you, but that would not be wise. Then I should not want to go home.” He blew her a kiss and hurried off, leaving her heart beating a little faster.

Ellie used the pretext of asking Tommy and Clive to help with the goats to get them out of the house. Roland was still sitting at breakfastand did not volunteer to help. When they were suitably far away, she told them the plan.

“It’s entirely up to you,” she said. “I don’t want to put either of you at risk unless you fully agree to it.”

“Of course we must do it,” Tommy said. “We can’t have human beings rounded up and sent off to God knows what fate.” He looked at Clive. “What do you think? I won’t agree if you don’t.”

Ellie looked at Clive. He seemed less certain, but then he shrugged. “I’ve a personal vendetta against Germans since they lobbed a grenade at me in the last war, so I think we should do it.” He took a deep breath, as if not completely sure of what he was saying. “I’ve been trying to work on fake identity cards. It’s proving not to be that easy, given the limited equipment I have. I suppose I can probably do a job that will pass scrutiny. Cards that give race as Aryan in case they are needed.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be needed,” she said. “The more you can make of those the better.”

“But what about you?” Clive said. “This will be dangerous for all of us, including you, if they find out.”

“I know. But I think we have to do it.” Ellie stared out to the blue sea below them, wind-whipped with white-capped waves. “It can’t be too many, just in case the Germans visit the island. So it won’t put us in harm’s way too often, I hope.”

They looked up as they heard footsteps coming towards them. It was Nico.

“I’ve told them,” she said. “And they agree.”

“Good men.” Nico slapped Clive on the back. “Now let me fill you in on the details. Come with me. We’ll decide on the path they will take and the meeting point.”