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L izzie could barely breathe as she waited for the butler to announce the Gestapo officer’s arrival.

There hadn’t been time to talk to Jack after she drove back with Suzanne from the village.

Luc had told her to take his Bugatti, because the villagers would recognise it and welcome them with their charitable offerings.

The rounds had gone smoothly, and people had been grateful for the baskets of produce.

Lizzie’s tender heart hurt when she saw the conditions the families lived in.

One woman who was mother to five young children explained the rations weren’t nearly enough to feed her family, and if it weren’t for Suzanne’s regular visits, they would starve.

They visited ten homes before knocking on the door of the doctor’s house.

Lizzie and Jack had planned it that way, so the visit didn’t attract undue attention.

There was a lump in Lizzie’s throat as they waited at the front door.

Luc had received no response to his note summoning the doctor, and she didn’t know what to expect.

A harried looking woman opened the door and ran her hand over her messy hair, grey tendrils spilling from her headscarf. Her eyes looked weary, and her face was deeply grooved with lines. Shouts echoed through the door, and the woman stood aside for them to enter.

Suzanne and the doctor’s wife were well acquainted, and the woman made grateful cooing sounds over the food basket. ‘This is so generous of you.’

Suzanne introduced Lizzie, and the woman invited them through to the kitchen and asked if they would like something to drink.

A little girl with rosy cheeks clutched at the woman’s leg, grizzling for attention. Lizzie’s thoughts tumbled around her head. The child surely couldn’t be the doctor’s daughter, as the woman was too old.

As if reading Lizzie’s mind, she tousled the child’s hair and said, ‘This is my granddaughter, Esther. She’s staying with me whilst her parents are away.

’ A shadow crossed the woman’s face, and Lizzie got the impression something bad had happened that she didn’t want to talk about in front of the child.

Lizzie’s reverie was interrupted when the butler appeared in the dining room entrance and he ushered in the two dinner guests. She stood to welcome them, adrenaline rushing through her veins so violently she felt weak.

It was time for her ultimate performance, and one wrong word could seal their fate. Lizzie squared her shoulders, smoothed out her dress, and steeled herself to face the coming ordeal.

‘Herr Walter Von Schneider and the commissaire,’ the butler announced.

The Gestapo officer swept in as though he owned the place. Lizzie glanced at Jack, and he threw her a reassuring look that said, ‘You can do this.’

Luc welcomed their guests, and they exchanged a few words before turning to Lizzie and Jack.

The commissaire wore his usual police uniform and the Gestapo officer was dressed in a tailored suit, which befitted his role as a member of the Nazi secret police.

Lizzie realised the two officials were naturally aligned under the police administration’s umbrella.

Memories of the reports she had read about the Gestapo caused an icy terror to whip through her body.

Although she’d met Nazi officers on previous missions, she’d not been introduced to a member of the Gestapo. Her heart thudded in her breast as she pasted a smile on her pale face and faked her best attempt at being thrilled to meet the agent of death.

Luc introduced her. ‘Meet my charming relative, Madame Dubois from St. Malo.’

‘Herr Von Schneider, what an honour,’ she said, extending her hand and greeting him with concentrated effort.

The Gestapo officer appraised Lizzie. He took her hand and pressed it to his lips, planting a kiss on her cool skin with his warm mouth.

‘The honour is all mine, madame. I hope I shall have the good fortune to sit next to you at dinner, and you shall tell me all about St. Malo. I plan to visit soon.’

It was said more as a command than a request, and Luc nodded subtly to the butler, who glided across the room to switch the place cards at the table without faltering.

Lizzie smiled weakly at her designated dinner companion, whilst slowly reclaiming her hand. ‘It shall be my pleasure,’ she said, her voice not sounding like her own.

Jack stepped forward to meet the Gestapo officer, shaking his hand, and the moment passed. ‘I’m sure my wife will be overjoyed. Thank you for joining us this evening.’

‘Please call me Walter,’ Von Schneider said, his steely eyes darting from Jack to Lizzie.

Soon they took their seats at the dining table and Von Schneider praised the decor and art on the walls of the elegant room before turning to the commissaire.

‘You were correct in your recommendation, my friend. This chateau is indeed the most charming place. I hope to return soon as I have business in Toulouse.’

Lizzie struggled to swallow. It was one thing for a Gestapo officer to dine with them for a few hours, but if he was planning on making it a regular occurrence, it would be terribly dangerous.

They must rethink their plans for using the chateau as a base for expanding their collaborative Resistance operations with Lev.

‘I’m sure we would all love that,’ Jack said, his tone sounding sincere and his face not betraying his feelings.

Despite experience in the field during the past year, Lizzie fought to contain her emotions. She was in awe of Jack’s poker face and his ability to trick the enemy.

The butler poured the wine, and Von Schneider made an elaborate fuss. ‘The aroma is quite beautiful, and the flavour is an uncommon delight to the palate. I must invite my new team of Weinführers over for a tasting. This vintage is perfect for Germany.’

Luc and Jack exchanged a furtive glance at the mention of Nazi appointed wine agents.

Von Schneider shared his intention as if it were a foregone conclusion and an absolute compliment.

Lizzie wrestled harder to keep her composure.

Every sentence he uttered took them deeper into treacherous territory, and she dare not think about the two British airmen and the Jewish doctor hiding in the cellars at that very moment.