Page 16 of The Last Library of Paris

‘Absolutely.’

‘All right then.’ I kissed him on both cheeks. ‘Thank you for getting that medicine.’

‘It was Alain.’

‘It was you.’

Guy nodded in acknowledgement.

‘Make sure you’re home before curfew,’ I warned.

‘I will.’

Chapter 4

Cassie

Lisbon

Lara, much to my disappointment, said there was nothing for me to do when it came to helping Senhor Alves with his visas.

‘He’s going to be stopped any day,’ she said. ‘Tomorrow, probably. We’ve just been trying to get as many done as possible before he has his access to the official departments cancelled.’

‘Do you think he will be punished?’ I asked, fighting the disappointment I felt.

‘Well, I’m not sure, but like I said, he thinks he could go to prison,’ Lara said. ‘He’s been charged with defying the regime.’

‘What regime?’ I said. ‘Salazar’s regime?’

‘Apparently so.’ Lara grimaced. ‘At the start of the war, all the Portuguese diplomats across Europe were warned by the government not to help some refugees that were considered inconvenient.’

I nodded. ‘Meaning Jewish refugees, of course.’

I’d known about that. It was a horrible policy and I was glad at least one diplomat had ignored it but his punishment seemed excessively harsh.

‘Surely he won’t go to jail?’

‘Bea thinks not. She says he’ll probably just be forced to retire in shame.’

‘He should be proclaimed a hero,’ I said. ‘They should build statues of him.’

‘I know,’ said Lara. ‘It’s a rotten business. He’s a really nice man.’

‘How does Bea know him?’

‘She knows everyone,’ Lara said, with a little chuckle. ‘I think she knew him when she lived in Paris for a while.’

‘So there’s really nothing I can do to help?’ I said. ‘I’m feeling so useless.’

Lara squeezed my hand sympathetically. ‘It’s not much longer before Digby has to put you back in Section D.’

‘I suppose so,’ I said. ‘And I guess I can help with the refugees at Rossio in the meantime.’

‘Definitely,’ said Lara. ‘Bea wants to give them books, like your friend in London is doing for the soldiers.’

‘Great idea.’ I felt slightly more cheery at the thought. ‘I’ll help with that.’

My cheerful mood didn’t last though. Misery descended as soon as I was back in clerical, though I’d volunteered for filing now just because I couldn’t bear the other women wincing every time I poked at a typewriter key with my forefinger.