‘What is it?’ Lise asked.
Persey took a deep breath. ‘I think you should leave the island.’
Lise’s mouth opened partly. ‘How?’
‘Jack has a boat.’
It was Mrs Durand’s turn to ask, ‘How?’
‘He just does. Jack has the gift of negotiation. It sometimes works in his favour. Sometimes not. But regardless, he has one, with an engine, which allegedly works. He’s planning an escape.’
‘Good God,’ Mrs Durand said quietly.
‘It’s a risk,’ Persey continued. ‘But Mrs Renouf really hates you. And now me and my sister. I don’t believe she’ll stop. Even if the Germans don’t bother looking, she’ll push and push until they’ve no choice but to at least start a tentative search. I don’t know how long this war will last. Far longer than any of us thought so far. But I think if you have the chance to escape with Jack, it may be your only way off to safety. It’s your choice, of course.’
The three women grew silent and then Lise said, ‘But what if we’re caught escaping?’
Mrs Durand said solemnly, ‘I should imagine it’s not too different to being caught sitting at this kitchen table. I should imagine there will be punishment either way.’
Lise nodded and exhaled loudly.
‘I can’t tell you to go,’ Persey said. ‘I can’t tell you to stay. Both choices come with risks. For everyone. But most of all for you. If it’s any consolation, Jack’s an excellent yachtsman. Spent his life on the water. Could navigate his way off the island blindfolded.’
Lise looked uncertain.
‘He wasn’t intending on leaving immediately, but if I explain your situation to him, I think he’ll pick up pace. He’s a good man. And he’s determined to get the hell off the island. If anyone can get you safely to England, it’s Jack.’
The time had come to tell Dido.
Dido sat at the piano playing a tune Persey wasn’t familiar with.
She looked up, lifted her fingers from the ivory piano keys.
‘Hello, you,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’ve had the most wonderful day. Werner and I—’
But Persey had no time and there was no way to ease in. ‘I have something I need to tell you,’ Persey started.
‘All right,’ Dido said, a nervous smile flitting at the corners of her mouth.
Persey pressed on. ‘I’ve been keeping someone safe, someonewho has been in real danger. And I’m sorry to say … it now involves you.’
Dido’s smile faded and she looked at her sister with a hard, worried expression. ‘Tell me,’ she said, her voice shaking with worry. ‘Tell me everything.’
‘Three years?’ Dido asked when Persey had outlined everything. ‘The Durands have been keeping your friend hidden for that long?’
‘Yes,’ Persey said. ‘It was the only thing we could think to do. Jews left behind, those who registered, they’ve—’
‘Been deported God knows where,’ Dido finished for her. ‘I can understand why you’ve done it. But I can’t understand why you haven’t told me.’
‘To keep Lise safe.’
‘I wouldn’t have told anyone,’ Dido said.
‘It was to keep you safe, too,’ she said.
‘How exactly?’
‘The fewer people who knew … it seemed safer. Then if you were questioned, you’d have nothing to tell. You’d have been freed from questioning faster.’
