The Cave by Kate Mosse

Author:Kate Mosse
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Chapter Twlve

‘Mr Smith?’

Freddie heard his name. He felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him awake. Slowly, he pulled himself back from sleep. His whole body ached and his head was thudding.

‘Sir? Mr Smith?’

He recognised the voice of Mrs Galy. Freddie opened his eyes. He took in the room, cold and empty in the grey morning light. The fire had burned out in the grate.

He saw the brandy bottle and glass, both empty, on the table by his chair.

Then he remembered how the night had passed. Talking, remembering, thinking of the past. He sat up straight, and stared at the chair where Marie had been sitting.

It was empty.

‘Are you unwell?’

Freddie cast his eyes around the room again. He saw nothing, no sign of her.

‘No, no, I’m fine. Forgive me. I was talking to another guest last evening. I must have drifted off to sleep here. She was a young woman, with long brown hair. I wonder if you have seen her this morning?’

Mrs Galy shook her head.

‘She was wearing rather old-fashioned clothes, I suppose,’ he said. ‘A long red cloak and a green dress.’

Freddie lifted his hands and rubbed his sore temples. He could feel the after-effects of the brandy.

‘I came in here to play a hand of cards, read the newspaper. I dropped off. When I woke, she was here. She said her name was Marie,’ he added, his voice rising.

Mrs Galy looked confused, worried even. ‘We have no guest of that name, sir.’

‘What about among the kitchen staff? Or someone from the village?’

Mrs Galy shook her head. ‘Not that I can think of, sir. I’m sorry.’

‘You’re sure?’

It came to him that Marie might have been here without Mrs Galy knowing. It had been late, after all.

Freddie glanced at the clock, the hands now clear. To his surprise, it was six forty-five in the morning. He stood up. He was clearly not going to get anywhere with Mrs Galy. He would ask about Marie in the village instead. Perhaps one of the maids would know who she was.

‘Tell me, Mrs Galy, was there much enemy action here during the war?’

Her face showed her surprise at this question. But she answered.

‘Not really, sir. There was a camp not so far from here for prisoners of war, though it is a good many hours’ drive away.’

Freddie frowned. ‘What about German units operating in the area?’

Mrs Galy shook her head. ‘Things were not easy, but we were better off than many. The village lost men fighting on the northern front.’

Her eyes darted to the clock. She clearly wanted to get on with her work. But Freddie couldn’t let it drop.

‘So this village was never invaded? Or attacked in any way?’

‘No, sir.’

Freddie didn’t understand.

‘If there is nothing else, I need to prepare the breakfast. I have asked Michel Auty, who works in the garage, to be here at eight o’clock. You can show him to your car.’

Freddie hardly heard. Thoughts were spinning around in his head, like leaves blown by the wind. He racked his brains.

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