‘She should be all right. She’s got the right background.’ I think they meant me, but I don’t know who had been telling them about me. Maybe they knew Charles. Then, after a short interview, I was told they would like me to join a unit that interviews evaders and escapees who have managed to return to this country from enemy occupied territory.
I said I didn’t really want to just sit safely in an office, when others, like you, are out there risking their lives. I said I would rather be playing an active part in the war. They said they might review my position in due course, but at least I feel I will now be used properly and be close to the action!
I believe evaders are those service personnel who have avoided capture after being involved in action of some kind. I am well aware that some of their reports will be full of ghastly harrowing details, so I know it will remind me of that awful business that finished you off, darling, but I am determined to be calm and strong for your sake.
I was so excited by my success at last that I celebrated by walking through the park to Fortnum’s for tea and before I left, I bought a chocolate bar they have produced specially for serving military personnel. I’m going to send it out to Charles, assuming his influence helped me get this position. I’d have bought some for you as well, of course, darling, if you were still here, as I know you would have loved such a treat.
I’d better keep news of my little shopping trip from Mama next time I visit, as she will be rather miffed that I didn’t buy any delights for her from Fortnum’s. She still seems to think having me in central London is for her benefit and is always thinking I can run her errands. Poor Mama. She can’t quite fathom the mysteries of rationing and leaves it all to Mrs Glazier, who seems to manage awfully well. Perhaps they are both in cahoots with a local black-marketeer? I find the idea of the two of them dealing surreptitiously in illegal goods frightfully amusing! I shall definitely feel the need to check their stockings next time I am there!
With love,
Evie xxxx
Ps I love you
17
Mrs T-C, 11 November 2016
A Few More Questions
‘Her memory isn’t too good these days, I’m afraid,’ Pat is saying to the suited man who follows her into the morning room. He’s not Humphrey, Pat’s husband, and he’s surely too old to be one of her two sons. He has brought a large file with him and a sweet smell of aftershave.
‘Auntie,’ Pat says, ‘this nice man is Inspector Williams. He just wants to ask you a few questions. It won’t take very long.’
Evelyn gives him her best smile. She has been expecting such a visit ever since Pat left the other day in a flurry of dishevelled impatience, after that little policewoman had been. Bad Nenndorf. It’s a link I can’t avoid. Once I’m placed there, the connection is obvious, but then anyone digging into service records could easily find out where I had been stationed during those years.
Evelyn shakes the Inspector’s hand. ‘How nice to meet one of Pat’s young men. Would you like to stay for coffee?’ She presses the buzzer hanging on a long ribbon round her neck and Mary immediately appears in the doorway, looking very concerned, as if it’s an emergency.
‘Mary, dear, we have visitors today. Can we have coffee in here this morning?’ Evelyn waves her out, then calls out after her, ‘And bring a nice selection of biscuits for the young man too, won’t you?’
‘Really, Aunt,’ Pat says, ‘you treat everyone just as if this was a hotel.’
‘Don’t be silly, Pat, of course I know my home’s not a hotel.’ Evelyn looks around the bright morning room, with gold brocade curtains and a Regency stripe of burgundy and cream on the walls. ‘Do you like the way I’ve had this room decorated? I chose the wallpaper myself.’
Pat leans across to the Inspector and whispers, ‘Don’t take any notice of her. She does this sometimes. She forgets where she is and starts thinking it’s her own house. I don’t know whether you’re going to get anything useful out of her today.’
‘Don’t worry, it’s just a formality,’ he says. ‘For the record.’ Then he turns to Evelyn. ‘Mrs Taylor-Clarke, I’d like to ask you a few questions about