‘My wife feels the same so you can count on her discretion. Her father was gassed in the last war. Hates the Germans with a viciousness that’s almost unbecoming.’ He attempted a laugh.
‘Is this what it’s going to be like now, do you think? And how long for?’
The question was rhetorical but Doctor Durand replied regardless. ‘God knows. For the foreseeable I should imagine. They’re arriving in droves. There’ll be more of them than there are of us soon if it carries on like this.’
‘They imagine they’re inching ever closer to London just because they’ve made it this far,’ Persey said.
‘Do you know one of the German doctors I met told me many young soldiers newly arrived didn’t actually understand that they weren’t in England. Couldn’t comprehend they were closer to France than they are to the King.’
Persey shook her head in disbelief. ‘And they think they’re going to win the war like that?’
‘Some of them seem a good sort, so far. The medical staff, I mean. That German billeted with you seems all right – Captain Keller. He and I had a few friendly words at the funeral. Think I was the only one to speak to him.’
‘Were you surprised? Some of mother’s friends were awfully het up about a German in their midst.’
‘What possessed him to come to the funeral, do you think?’ the doctor asked.
Persey breathed deeply. ‘Now I think about it, I feel it was a kind thing to do. He used to know Mother and us,’ Persey said, not wishing to elaborate further. She thought of that kiss on the cliffs from so long ago. ‘Well, he used to know Dido and I, really. And Jack.’
‘Really?’ Doctor Durand said in astonishment, and Persey explained about the many summers they’d spent with Stefan. ‘Well, I’d never have guessed a prior connection. I didn’t see you speak to him once. And I didn’t see Jack even so much as glance in his direction, I’m sure.’ Doctor Durand looked interested.
Persey didn’t reply. She wasn’t surprised Jack didn’t speak to Stefan; Jack avoided their German friend at all costs. Eager to move on, Persey was grateful when the doctor brought them back to the subject of Lise. ‘I’m not sure how many more I can take feasibly, but if you hear of anyone else who needs help …’ he said.
‘Take?’
‘There will be more Jews stuck here, I think.’
‘Apparently so,’ she replied.
‘They’ll be told to register soon enough.’
‘Yes, I’ve also heard this,’ Persey said regretfully.
‘Who from?’
‘The dreaded Mrs Renouf.’
‘How does she know that?’ he asked with narrowed eyes.
‘I assume gossip?’
‘Or perhaps she’s already far too friendly with them and she’s been told,’ the doctor suggested.
‘Don’t say that,’ Persey said, feeling sick at the thought of collaboration occurring so quickly.
‘There’ll be more like her, you know,’ Doctor Durand said. ‘You wait. Old scores will be settled in the most horrific of ways. We won’t know who to trust soon.’
‘I can count on one hand those I do trust,’ Persey said, thinking of Dido, Jack and Mrs Grant, and the courageous doctor standing in front of her, willing to hide Jews from the Nazis on such a small island. But even so, she knew in order to keep Lise safe that she could never tell any of the others what they had done. It would hurt her more than anything not to tell Dido, but the risk to Lise should Dido accidentally mention it to anyone was unthinkable.No, she trusted her sister with her own life but it wasn’t fair to trust her with someone else’s.
And then there was Stefan. How far could she trust him? He had gone out of his way to protect her identity when the soldier had accused her of being out after dark. ‘It’s all such a mess and it’s only going to get worse,’ she added.
‘Silly question, but I don’t need to tell you to keep this quiet, do I?’
‘Of course not. I know how serious this is,’ Persey said. ‘If anyone finds out she’s there …’
‘If something happens, if they act on the attitudes they’ve brought with them, continue the rampage towards the Jews here, which I suspect is only a matter of time, it doesn’t bear thinking about. How is it with him in your house?’ Doctor Durand said returning to the subject of Stefan. He was unavoidable, even when he wasn’t in her company.
‘Not as awful as I thought it would be, in truth. Dido’s not sure he’s one of “them”. I’m not sure I think he is either.’
