A Bridge to Elne by L. E. Indianer

Author:L. E. Indianer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: french resistance, world war 2, family bonding, nazi occupation of france, ability to survive darkest hrs, all points of view, elne and the pyrenees mts, full of wonder and suspense, love affair in wartime, main characters are real
Publisher: L. E. Indianer

Chapter 27

The next day, Paulette went to work as usual. Many of the offices were taken over by the German staff, but the mayor’s two rooms were unaffected, and Paulette was thankful that she still had a job. On arriving, Mayor Astruc called her into his office, before she got to her own, which adjoined his.

“How is your father doing, Paulette,” was the first thing he asked.

“He’s still a little sore, especially in his back, but the place he hit his head when he fell, is swollen.” She shook her head, and emphatically said, “Those idiots!”

The mayor held a finger to his lips, and in a whisper, he said, “Shh, you know how thin these walls are. Be careful what you say from now on, because the Commandant’s office is right next to yours.”

On hearing this, she thought now I’ll be able to pick up some valuable information for Marcel. “Papa said that the Major didn’t speak French, and that the captain, who is staying with us, was translating for him.”

“He may not speak as well as Captain Weller, but he still may understand some French. In our meeting this morning, he seemed to know a little of what I was saying, but he only answered in German.”

“You’re right…we can’t take any chances. So what did the Major have to say?”

“Well, he basically wants us to run the local government the same as we’ve done in the past, but with fewer people. It was sad that I had to let some of them go this morning.” He paused. “Of course, we have to organize and report to him on the progress of the food production for his troops, and the distribution of food to our people through the ration coupons, which I’m sure your father told you last night.”

“Who said, ‘To the victor belongs the spoils’? Yes, Papa told us everything.”

“I’m happy that he wasn’t hurt that badly. It could have been much worse, had Captain Weller not stepped in. You said that he is the officer you’re housing?”

“Yes, he is,” Paulette said matter-of-factly.

“He stopped in here, before we went to see the Major, and I must say that he was most charming. I almost forgot who he was.”

“Well, Monsieur Mayor, I wouldn’t trust any of them. That might be just a ploy.” She waited a few seconds before she asked, “How many soldiers do you think are in Elne?” She paused for a few seconds more, and then asked, “Do you have any idea what they’re going to be doing here?”

“From what I saw last night, I would estimate anywhere from a hundred to one hundred and twenty-five…and…I don’t know exactly what their mission is. But the Captain said that they would have to put certain areas, near the beach, offlimits to civilians. He requested some maps of the area and said that he would be surveying it today.”

“Do you want me to get them together for him, Monsieur Mayor?”

“Yes, that would be helpful, Paulette. You know more about where things are than I do.

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