what is going on. They have a huge army waiting to be deployed, to whatever coast they feel will be the one where the British are to land. I have to find a way to hide this for twenty-four hours, Vivi.’ He paced the room anxiously. ‘If we destroy it, then there is a trail right back to this office and that could end our work prematurely. But if it is misplaced, we may look more incompetent than traitorous.’
‘Give it to me,’ she suggested. ‘I will slip it in with some files in my office, then if Major Weissman hears anything and searches your office, he won’t find them.’ Vivi took the photograph from him and placed them within a file marked with a different title. She recognised it would only be a matter of time before things would be known, but maybe that was all the Allies would need, a short amount of time.
Vivi hoped with all of her heart that this offensive would be the beginning of the end of the war. That she and Marcus would soon be able to escape, that they could finally be free. But in the meantime she needed a little insurance. Vivi had been thinking about this for a while. She knew it was dangerous but now things were so desperate, she had to have a backup plan to get her and Marcus out of the country fast. But in order to do it Vivi would have to risk her cover. If anyone found out what she was doing and reported back to the Germans what was going on it would be certain death for her and maybe even for Marcus. But there was one place she felt she may have a chance, a place where discretion was of the upmost importance.
Leaving the office, Vivi rushed through the streets of Paris, sweat trickling down behind her ears and gathering under the collar of her German uniform. At every turn, she was aware of heightened energy. On what seemed like every corner, the people of Paris were whispering in huddled groups. She hoped it was the news she and Marcus had been waiting to hear, but feared the enemy might still gain the upper hand.
Vivi barely had time to check over her shoulder as she raced down the darkened alley, her footsteps beating out an echoed rhythm that fought against a cracked water pipe that gushed out a beat of its own. Arriving at the door of the address she had memorised, Vivi stopped to catch her breath and wipe at the beads of perspiration that had collected under her cap. Gulping back hot sticky air that burned her lungs, she gathered herself, trying to clear her mind and remember everything she had been taught; it felt like an eternity since her training.
Her racing heart began to return to normal as Vivi momentarily considered her life and the man she loved. She had to do this. For him and for the cause they both believed in. Tears brimmed in her eyes as Vivi remembered the night before when they’d lain in one another’s arms, a full moon streaming through the window, casting its shadow across their bed, when she’d thought, just for that moment, even amidst all the madness, that somehow her life was perfect.
But in the last twelve hours, all of that had been put in jeopardy. Now Vivi had to focus on what was right. But would she be strong enough to do what she had to do? The betrayal was so hard, but the one thing that kept her alive every day was the knowledge that she was doing all this for love, the noblest reason of all.
So there was one last thing she had to do. One thing that could make the difference between who won this war, and who lost.
Summoning up the courage she needed, Vivi knocked on the door.
It was Madame Mazella who opened it herself and seeing who it was, she offered a crooked smile.
‘Well, look who it is, I thought you left a long time ago. Did you change sides?’ she snarled, taking in Vivi’s uniform as she looked her up and down.
Vivi shook her head vehemently. ‘I’m undercover,’ she hissed in reply.
The madam folded her arms under her vast bosom, most of which was on display. ‘What do you want?’
Vivi spoke quickly. ‘Can I come in? I have something very important that I need your help with.’
The madam pursed her bright-red lips together, which