Page 95 of The Last Library of Paris

Henry tipped the contents into his palm and held out a large uniform button.

‘A button?’ I said.

‘It’s a compass.’ Henry looked delighted. ‘It was Val’s idea. I wasn’t sure it could work, but it has.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ Archie said. ‘Everything we can do to encourage escape-mindedness and help the lads achieve it is a step in the right direction.’

Another sound outside the room made me look up from the compass, and I thought I saw a shadow in the corridor.

‘Is there someone there?’ I said, my stomach lurching. We’d been excited and not keeping our voices as low as we should have been.

‘I don’t think so …’ Henry began, but convinced I’d heard footsteps, I darted to the door and looked out. Henry was right, the corridor was deserted.

‘Perhaps I’m just a little jumpy after what happened with Parrish,’ I said.

‘Understandable,’ said Archie. He sounded casual but I thought he looked a little worried. ‘Listen, why don’t you take a proper break? Go and have something to eat. Then come back when you’re feeling more settled. You’ll be fine. You just need some time away from all this.’

Touched by his concern, I nodded. ‘I’ll pop to the bookshop,’ I said. ‘I’ll be back later.’

‘Don’t get washed away in the rain,’ said Archie. ‘We need you.’

Absurdly pleased, I headed out of the office.

Chapter 25

Frances

Paris

I didn’t say a word more to Alain about his name, or his dealings with the Nazis. I stewed about it in my own head, until I was barely sleeping or eating. It felt like the stakes were suddenly heightened, and I didn’t know what to do for the best.

I watched Alain like a hawk and saw nothing more to make me suspicious. But my observations did make me realise I’d been right when I thought he and Guy were more than just friends. They moved around one another so comfortably, talking quietly to each other and holding the other’s gaze.

Even Sylvie had seen it.

‘They are a couple, I think,’ she said, seeing me watching them.

‘I think so, too.’

‘Do you mind?’ she asked.

‘No. Do you?’

‘No.’

She nodded, like I’d passed a test.

‘But I’m worried,’ I added.

‘Because the Nazis also hate men who like men?’

‘Yes.’

Sylvie snorted. ‘Half of them also feel that way. It would not surprise me if along with the alcohol and the medicine and the women, Alain is also providing the Nazis with men.’

I was startled. ‘Women and men?’ I said with a shudder. ‘Surely not? Selling booze is one thing, but people?’

‘This is Paris,’ said Sylvie. ‘City of love.’