snowfall of last night was not typical. Summer comes quickly here. In a week the snow could be gone from the valley, although not on the mountains.'
'We have to chance it and head north along here,' said Chevannes pointing to the map.
'We need roads,' said Tanner, 'a vehicle of some kind. If we try to walk it we'll never make it.'
'We nearly made it today,' said Larsen.
'But we didn't, did we? And we only had to cover six or seven miles. I've no idea how far the Allies have fallen back, but it's got to be some distance. At least to here - Favang - and that's, what? A dozen miles. Twenty kilometres. In any case, Brigade's lost so many men and we're so short of guns and M/T that there would be little point in making another stand just a few miles down the road. Those generals might want their heads examining but even they're not that stupid. But whatever distance they've retreated, we'll never be able to walk faster through the mountains than Jerry can through the valley. And he's got increasing amounts of M/T as well as horses.' There was silence for a moment. Tanner leant over the table. 'Here,' he said, 'what about this road? Look - it goes from Tretten, cuts over the mountains into this valley here. Jerry's not going to go down there because it's this valley that's the axis of his advance. If we can get over there and find ourselves some transport, we could overtake them. We could maybe get all the way to here - Otta - without seeing any Germans at all.'
Chevannes shook his head. 'Brilliant, Sergeant,' he said, smirking at the others, 'and just how do you think we can get past the Germans in the valley and across a three-hundred-metre-wide lake? And where exactly will we find a vehicle that will take us all?'
'We don't cross the lake. We cross at Tretten where the river is much narrower.'
'And the fact that the village will be full of Germans does not worry you?'
'We go at night, when it's dark. There's no moon tomorrow. Anyway, we've got German uniforms now. Of course it's a risk, but if we do as you suggest, we have no chance at all.'
'It's a preposterous idea.'
'There is a place you could cross,' said Anna. All eyes turned to her. 'Just north of the village, a few hundred metres before the bridge. There is a small spur that juts out into the river. The crossing is only about a hundred and fifty metres wide at that point and there is a wooden jetty. On the bank are several small row-boats.'
Good girl, thought Tanner. 'In any case,' he added, 'there's no reason why Tretten will be full of Germans. Some, maybe, but most will already have headed north.'
Anna spoke hurriedly to her father, who nodded. Then Larsen spoke to her in Norwegian. For a minute an argument ensued between Larsen, Anna and her father: Larsen, firm and emphatic, Anna increasingly animated and irate.
At length Chevannes said, 'What are you talking about?'
'She wants to come with us,' said Larsen. 'I told her it is out of the question.'
'But I know those mountains. I know the J0ra valley. My brother and I hiked all over the Oppland mountains last summer.' She looked imploringly at Chevannes, then Tanner. 'Please,' she said. 'I want to help.'
'What we have to do is far too dangerous for a woman,' said Chevannes, 'and especially for a pretty girl like yourself, Mademoiselle.'
Tanner groaned to himself, then said, 'But there's no doubting she'd be a great help. Listen to what she said. She knows these mountains - none of the rest of us do. Second, the fact that she's a woman might be an asset. The Germans would be less likely to suspect her.'
'And I speak German,' she added.
'Sir, please, listen to her,' said Tanner.
'She'll slow us down,' said Chevannes.
'I will not,' said Anna, defiant now.
Her mother spoke to her, but her father interjected angrily.
'Her father says she is twenty-two,' Larsen translated, 'and old enough to know her own mind. He also says he is proud of his daughter for wanting to help in the battle against these Nazi thugs.'
Chevannes sat quietly for a few moments, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
'Sir?' said Tanner.
The Frenchman picked up his dark blue beret, which had been on the table in front of him, and felt with his finger round the badge. 'I want to think about it. I am not at all convinced that we should even try to cross the valley, regardless of what you say, Sergeant. In any case, are you proposing that we stay here until tomorrow night?'
'If possible, yes. We might have to move elsewhere, but not too far from here. I don't see that we have any choice.'
'There is a cave in the forest above the farm,' said Anna. 'It is a secret place. We could show you in the morning.'
'And we need to move the wounded,' added Tanner. 'Anna and her father are proposing to take them in their cart to Tretten.'
'And hand them over to the enemy?' said Chevannes. He seemed appalled by the suggestion.
'They will die if they stay here,' said Anna. 'They need proper attention.'
'Sir?' said Tanner, again. Chevannes picked at his lip.
Come on, damn you, thought Tanner. Make a decision. 'Sir,' he said again, 'we need to make a plan.'
'Be quiet, Tanner!' Chevannes snapped. 'Mon dieu, I need to think. Stop rushing me.'
'But what about the wounded?' Tanner insisted. 'You're the commander here. Mr Rostad and his daughter are willing to risk their lives to save them. Tell them what you want them to do.' He looked at the lieutenant with barely concealed contempt.
'Steady, Sergeant Tanner,' said Larsen. 'We are all exhausted.'
'Yes, we are,' snarled Tanner, 'but it's a simple enough decision.'
'All right, all right, damn you!' Chevannes ran his hands through his hair. 'Take the wounded men. In the morning.' He smiled weakly at Anna and her father, then said, 'Thank you, Mademoiselle, Monsieur.'
Larsen placed his hands flat on the table and said, 'Well, gentlemen, Miss, I think we should get some sleep now. The situation may seem simpler when we have rested.' He stood up and bade the family good night. Without a further word, Chevannes and Tanner followed him outside into the darkness.
The air was sharp and cold after the warmth of the kitchen. The sliver of moon was hidden behind the mountains, but despite the dark, Tanner could sense the looming immensity of their surroundings. Such a vast place. He looked towards the valley, a black cavity in front of him, and thought of the enemy below and the net they were casting inexorably over this land. Christ, he thought, what chance have we got? The responsibility, the huge barriers facing him at every turn, suddenly seemed too much. He wondered what the next day would bring, then chastised himself. Don't think, he told himself. Sleep.
Chapter 10
Tanner had spent long enough in the Army to be able to sleep anywhere so, despite having only a thin layer of straw between him and the floor, he slept like the dead. When he awoke, it was nearly six in the morning. He blinked and scratched. Lice, he thought, or was it fleas from the barn? He hadn't washed properly since he'd arrived in Norway six days before. Six days! Not even a week. It felt like eternity.
He sat up and looked round the barn. Shafts of light shone through gaps in the roof, where suspended dust
