Flight: The Free French Trilogy - Book One by Dominique Martin

Author:Dominique Martin [Martin, Dominique]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dominique Martin
Published: 2016-03-17T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Monsieur Lefèvre seemed underwhelmed by the amount of petrol they had obtained, but he thanked them, politely.

"Let us at least give you a ride to the village," he said, turning to Anatole. "You've been delayed on our account."

"Then I must leave you in the next village, too," Lucien said, calmly, hiding his irritation. "I'm not leaving Anatole behind."

Monsieur Lefèvre nodded. "Very well, but what will you do for transportation? I don't think monsieur Fournier's bike is sturdy enough to take both of you, as well as your luggage."

"Of course, you are both coming with us in the car," madame Lefèvre said. She turned to Lucien with a smile. "I don't think abandoning you without transportation could be considered looking after you."

"It's not that I don't want to have more passengers, of course," said monsieur Lefèvre quickly. "I am worried about the weight, that is all."

"We will find a solution," madam Lefèvre said, firmly. "Besides, does it really matter if we don't find any more petrol, anyway?"

"Yes, about that." Monsieur Lefèvre looked at them with a slight frown. "The woman in the shop - she had more petrol?"

Anatole nodded. "Some, yes. She said they needed it locally."

Monsieur Lefèvre snorted. "We'll see about that," he said. "Well, get in, we'll drive to the village and see how it goes."

They tied his bike to the top of the roof. Anatole stood outside the car while everyone got in, uncertain where he was supposed to sit. Lucien patted his lap.

"Sit on me," he said. Anatole got in, gingerly, his knees knocking into the seat in front of them. Lucien exhaled in exaggerated exhaustion as soon as Anatole sat down.

"You are heavy."

Anatole turned his head and smiled at him.

"Your legs are scrawny and weak," he returned. Lucien laughed.

Monsieur Lefèvre started the car. It struggled to get up the final few meters to the top of the hill, but after that, it was an easy trip down into the village. But Lefèvre's forehead remained furrowed, and Lucien couldn't really blame him. The wheels were making odd squeaking sounds.

The shop owner had evidently regained some of her courage, since when they stopped in the village square, the shop was open. Lefèvre marched in the door, and showed the woman his identity card, proving that he was employed by the government.

"I'll take all the petrol you have," he said, coldly. It wasn't a question, and he started carrying the cans out to the car without waiting for the shop keeper to respond.

Lucien exchanged glances with Anatole, seeing the same mixture of guilt and distaste in his face that he felt himself. Evidently, they weren't the only ones to dislike Lefèvre's behaviour, because madame Lefèvre took a step forward.

"We also have a favour to ask of you," she said, blithely. The shopkeeper glared at her.

"Really. Well, whatever it is, I won't do it."

"I'm sorry to hear that," madame Lefèvre said. "You see, we need to get rid of about seventy kilos' worth of linen, and good crockery, and silver.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.