‘He knows about the wireless,’ Persey said darkly, draining her glass and pouring herself another. ‘He knows I’ve been transcribing the news. And why.’
Jack stood in the doorway. ‘Well now we’re all done for, aren’t we?’ he cried. ‘Why did you tell him?’
‘Hello, Jack,’ Stefan said.
‘Hello, German.’
‘He caught me in the act and don’t be so bloody rude. I’m sick of it. Apologise,’ Persey ordered.
‘No,’ Jack said petulantly. ‘It’s not offensive to call him a German. He is. I didn’t call him a Nazi.’
‘Well done,’ Stefan said. ‘I am very proud of you.’
‘Fuck off,’ Jack ordered, but Stefan said nothing, poured the water from the hot kettle into the pot and placed it on the side.
‘Tea?’ Stefan asked Jack.
‘Not when you’re all drinking the last of the brandy, no,’ he said, fetching a glass.
It was Dido who spoke next. ‘He knows Persey’s been risking her life to deliver the news and he’s not said a word to anyone. He’s not our enemy, Jack. He’s our friend. He always has been.’
‘Yes … well … remains to be seen. Not going to inform?’ Jack suggested. ‘I hear there’s been a lot of that going on of late.’
‘No,’ Stefan said. ‘I’m not.’
‘Well in that case, shall we have a listen later. Joining us, Stefan? Want to hear about your mad Führer’s latest plans to invade somewhere else? Where does he fancy next, do you think, the moon?’
Stefan laughed suddenly. ‘Yes, I do actually want to hear.’
‘Want to hear about the imminent downfall?’ Jack continued. ‘Heard Italy have turned on you, old chap. That’s Russia and Italy knowing which side their bread’s buttered.’
‘They have not turned on me,’ Stefan said. ‘They have turned on the Nazis. Not all of us are Nazis. Not all of us wanted this war. Not all of us are enjoying it.’
‘Oh, shame for you,’ Jack said. ‘Not having a good war? Sorry about that. Neither are we.’
‘Jack,’ Persey warned. ‘Leave him alone.’
‘Oh, I see you’ve given up the goods already, have you? I’ve only been gone the afternoon. Knew it was only a matter of time before he turned you, too.’
Before Persey knew what had happened, Stefan launched himself across the kitchen and punched Jack.
Dido screamed and Persey leapt up to halt the men, but Jack was too slow to retaliate, raising his arm too slowly to return the punch. Sensing his moment, Stefan swiftly hit him again, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Jack groaned, blood pouring from his nose and his mouth. He spat blood onto the flagstones.
Stefan watched him, waiting for him to get up.
‘Stop it,’ Persey shouted. This was too much. There had been too much blood today.
‘Jesus Christ, Stefan,’ Jack cried. ‘Give a man a chance to hit back.’
After a moment, Stefan held out his hand to Jack who eyed it warily, took a deep breath and then clutched it as Stefan pulled him to his feet.
‘Why do you hate me so much?’ Stefan asked when it was clear Jack was too engrossed with wiping blood off his face to hit Stefan.
Jack shrugged, wiping his bloody hands down his dark trousers. He slumped into a chair at the kitchen table. ‘I’m not sure I have the energy to hate,’ he said quietly. ‘Not today.’
Dido and Stefan sat down. The four had awkwardness and brandy to bind them.
‘I want to leave,’ Jack said into his glass. He sounded young, like a child.
