Page 70 of Neighbors at War

Chapter Forty-Four

PEGGY

1 May 1943

Peggy loved Saturdays and was looking forward to this one especially because it was her birthday. She had told her mother, sister and Helen that the only present she wanted was to have a calm, pleasant day with no visits from the Nasties, as they had now taken to calling their next-door neighbours.

The only visitor she wanted today was Tony. She looked at her watch, happy to know he would be arriving in the next couple of minutes.

She brushed her hair. It needed a trim as it was now below her shoulders and too long for her liking. She wished she had thought to ask Babs to cut it the previous evening but it was too late now, and in any case her sister was working her Saturday shift. She would ask her later.

She went to the living-room window and saw Tony crossing the road. He looked up at her and beamed when she waved. Excited to see him, Peggy ran to the hall and pulled open the front door before he had a chance to knock, just as she heard the door close at number 2, and Captain Engel’s voice calling to her.

‘Good morning, Miss Hamel,’ he said with a quick tilt of his head. He spotted Tony and she could see by the change in his expression that he recognised him from work. Now he would know there was something between them, Peggy thought.

‘Good morning, Advocate,’ the captain said.

‘Good morning,’ Tony replied politely.

Peggy wasn’t sure if Tony could place him, but she could tell by his set expression that he sensed something was not quite right.

‘Shall we go in?’ Peggy said trying to keep her tone light. ‘Goodbye, Captain,’ she said with a half-smile before shutting the front door. She closed her eyes and gathered herself for a moment.

‘I know where I’ve seen him before,’ Tony said quietly as they heard the soldier’s footsteps passing her home. ‘Didn’t he come to deliver documents to you once?’

‘A few times, unfortunately.’

‘Does he make you feel uncomfortable? If you like I could arrange for the documents to be left at reception and brought up to you.’

Peggy loved him wanting to protect her. ‘He’s always behaved like a gentleman,’ she admitted.

‘What does Captain Engel talk to you about?’

‘That’s the thing. Nothing much. I think he just likes talking to me. It’s always when I’m in,’ she added thoughtfully. ‘Mum said he’s never called while I’m out. I’ve never invited him in and he’s never seemed fazed by the lack of an invitation.’ She remembered one of his remarks. ‘He did mention that Mum reminded him of his mother. He’s probably just homesick.’

‘Maybe.’

She realised he didn’t know about the attic being searched and Helen and Bobby almost being discovered. She told him what had happened.

He narrowed his eyes. ‘I sense there’s something else worrying you.’

‘I was thinking about another officer who could be a problem. Hauptmann Schneider,’ she explained. 'Helen recognised his voice when her window was open one evening and she heard him talking in Sylvia’s house. She knew him from the where she used to work. Thankfully a Leutnant she also knew from there came in and distracted the Hauptmann and saved her and Bobby from being found when Hauptmann Schneider searched the attic. Unfortunately now we’re aware they would both recognise Helen, we know we can never pass her off as being my sister if either of them returns while she’s downstairs.’

‘Hmm, that’s not good.’ He thought for a moment. ‘I can’t see what can be done about it unless Helen and Bobby move to another safe house.’

Peggy sensed she wasn’t going to like what he was about to say. ‘Go on. I can tell you’ve had an idea.’

‘Only that I’m happy to find somewhere for them to move to and will make arrangements if Helen is worried about being here with them next door.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind. I know she was unsettled by them coming so suddenly, but I don’t think she’s ready to move. We’re being extra vigilant.’

‘I’m glad. You know I’ll always be here for you, Peggy.’ He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. ‘Please don’t hesitate to ask me anything. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll do my best to find one.’

‘I will.’

He cupped her cheeks in his hands and gazed into her eyes. ‘Happy birthday, my sweet Peggy.’

She studied his handsome face, his dark eyes full of love. She didn’t think she could love him more as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again.