The Hidden Village: An absolutely gripping and emotional World War II historical novel (Wartime Holland Book 1) by Imogen Matthews

Author:Imogen Matthews [Matthews, Imogen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803142944
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

Next morning, Sofie was awake before dawn, worrying what to wear for her first lesson. Perhaps the reason she’d slid down the rope yesterday was because of her long skirt, which had wrapped itself around it. She crept out of bed and pulled on her blouse. She only had the one skirt. It would have to do. So she pulled it up from behind, through her legs and tucked the loose material into her waistband.

Tiptoeing to the doorway of the hut, she peered out at the grey light and was surprised to see Karl already limbering up, doing press-ups. He didn’t notice her, and she stood watching, impressed by the ease with which he kept doing them without seeming to take breath. When he finished, she walked over in bare feet and clapped her hands quietly.

Karl jumped up, and his face broke into a smile when he saw her. ‘I’m glad you came.’

‘Why wouldn’t I?’ Sofie pushed her springy hair back over one ear.

With a little shock, she realised how much she liked the way he spoke Dutch with a German accent.

It was still not quite light, but the birds were already singing in the trees. After he showed her some simple moves, none involving the rope, she noted with disappointment, the sky took on a rosy hue and suddenly a ray of sunshine broke through the branches.

‘We must finish for today,’ said Karl after a while, turning his face towards the glow.

‘But we’ve only just started,’ protested Sofie.

‘You’ve been working hard. We’ve been out here for nearly an hour. Unless you’d like to put on a show already,’ he joked.

‘Of course not,’ she said, reddening a little. ‘I wouldn’t want to anyway.’

‘You’re good enough. With a little practice you’ll be really good.’

‘You say all the right things, but I’m not sure I believe you,’ said Sofie, embarrassed to accept the compliment.

‘Same time tomorrow, then?’

Sofie nodded vigorously and left him to carry on with his own routine.

Every morning, she woke early with a sense of anticipation and every morning Karl was already outside. She wasn’t sure he was even waiting for her because he always seemed surprised to see her. Then at the end of one of their sessions, perhaps a week or so after they’d started, he told her that they would be joined by several others the following day. Sofie’s face must have fallen.

‘I spoke to Wouter, who thinks it’s a good idea to give people regular exercise. I’ve seen how much you are benefiting from our classes and I’m keen for others to take exercise as well,’ he said.

‘But I thought…’ Sofie hesitated, realising her words would sound pathetic. ‘Of course, it’s a good idea. Who are you thinking of asking?’ she asked, more brightly.

‘We’re putting up a notice in the reception hut today. I’m going to offer daily classes to whoever wants to come. But any more than six people and I’ll have to think about doing more than one class.’

Sofie swallowed hard but managed a smile.

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