Operation Kingfisher by Hilary Green

Author:Hilary Green [Hilary Green]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780719812859
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2013-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Rollo left the camp early the following morning, travelling in the same van in which he had arrived. Luke and Christine saw him off and he shook hands with both of them.

‘I’m sorry we can’t help you get any further. Father was asking around for a cargo going in the right direction when the Boche came and took over the barge.’

‘It’s not your fault,’ Luke said. ‘You were very good to come here and warn us. I’m sorry you got such a rough welcome.’

‘We might have walked straight into a trap if you hadn’t come,’ Christine agreed. ‘And it was a risk for you, too. You were very brave.’

Rollo shrugged and grinned, but the colour rising in his cheeks gave away his pleasure in the compliment.

‘It was nothing. What are friends for, after all? But I’m afraid we shall not meet again.’

‘It seems that way,’ Luke agreed. ‘Good luck with the Germans. I hope they won’t keep your boat too long.’

‘Who knows?’ Rollo responded and Christine saw that underneath his casual manner he was afraid.

‘Come on, let’s go!’ the driver of the van called.

‘Adieu! Bonne chance!’ Rollo turned away and climbed into the back of the vehicle.

‘And you! Good luck! Take care!’ they called in return.

As the van bumped away, Luke said, ‘You know, I really didn’t like him when we first met. He struck me as being much too cocksure. But he’s turned out OK in the end.’

‘He tried to kiss me once,’ Christine said.

‘He what? Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Why should I?’

‘What did you do?’

‘I kicked him in the shin and told him if he tried it again, I’d kick him where it really hurt. I feel bad about it now.’

Luke grinned at her. ‘I shouldn’t. He deserved it.’ He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her back towards the camp. ‘Anyway, it’s just you and me now, Sis.’

‘You and me and about twenty Maquis,’ she responded. ‘You’ve got your wish, haven’t you?’

‘I had the impression you weren’t so averse to staying on,’ he retorted. ‘I can’t think what the attraction is for you. Oh, talk of the devil, isn’t that Cyrano coming back from his morning sked?’

She kicked him quite hard in the shin in his turn.

‘Shut up, idiot! I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

An hour later, Gregoire reappeared, with his usual armed escort. After a brief conference with Xavier and Cyrano, he beckoned them over.

‘I gather you two are staying with us for a while longer.’

‘It seemed the best thing to do,’ Luke said. ‘Provided it’s all right with you.’

‘It’s not up to me. This is Xavier’s show. But I understand he’s agreeable and you’ve volunteered for active service, Luke.’

‘Yes. I want to do my bit.’

‘You realize how dangerous it could be? Things won’t always be as quiet as this.’

‘I know that. I’m ready to fight. And Xavier has promised to teach me how to use a gun.’

Gergoire and Cyrano exchanged glances.

Then Gregoire said, ‘Very well. I have no authority to refuse you.

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