“Oh Lord, no!”
“I suppose these things are bound to happen, but it really does make me feel like we’re trying to win the game from behind.” He sighed. “At least we’re starting to do something, though. We’ve spent the entire winter doing nothing.”
“So have they,” she pointed out. “It was a particularly bad winter. I’m glad it’s over, personally. Now we can get down to business.”
He smiled across the table. “And are you getting down to business?”
“More than ever,” she said, inwardly wincing at the irony in her tone. Before he could notice, she continued, “I’m off to Wales tomorrow to give an extended training class.”
“Wales!” he exclaimed. “How long will you be there?”
“I’m really not sure, to be honest. It’s a week long course, but there’s always something that comes up to delay things.”
“Now what could possibly delay a training course?” he wondered, his eyes dancing. “No! Don’t say it. I know. Taboo subject. My apologies.”
Evelyn laughed. “I think I’m finally getting you trained, Miles Lacey,” she decided.
He looked horrified.
“Good Lord, is that what’s happening? We can’t have that.” He pushed his chair back and stood up, holding his hand out to her. “Let’s dance and forget all about the war for a bit.”
She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her out of her seat. Meeting his green eyes, Evelyn felt a rush of contentment as his fingers closed warmly around hers. Yes. They would forget about the war for a few hours and enjoy each other, as they would if none of this was happening. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and it would see her on her way to Oslo and him back to Duxford.
But tonight they had music and each other.
Oslo, Norway
April 2, 1940
The door to the tall boarding house opened as Evelyn climbed out of the taxi that had carried her to a quiet street, just a block from the busy Bygdøy Allé in Olso’s West End. The boarding house was just as she remembered it from the previous November, and she smiled at the sight of Josef Kolstad filling the doorway.
“God ettermiddag!” she called cheerfully.
The man’s eyebrows rose in surprise and something resembling a smile curved his lips.
“God ettermiddag,” he said, coming across the pavement to take her cases from the driver. “You learned Norwegian?”
“I did,” she said, turning to pay the driver. “But you will have to correct me if I get something wrong. I’ve not had anyone to practice with.”
“Did you have a good trip?” he asked, turning to carry her bags into the house.
“Yes, thank you. I flew in so it was very quick and very uneventful.” She followed him into the house. “How are you and Else?”
“We’re well. She’s at the market doing the shopping. She asked me to show you to your room.” He started up the narrow stairs. “She’s put you in the same room you were in the last time. I hope that’s acceptable?”
“That’s perfect,” Evelyn assured him as they reached the top of the stairs and turned left. “Are there many guests here?”
“Not many. It is a slow time right now.”
She nodded and watched as he opened the door to her room and went inside with the bags. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to worry about any SD agents like Herr Renner this time around. Her lips tightened at the thought of the German agent. That was an experience she had no desire to repeat any time soon.
“I started the fire for you earlier,” Josef said, setting her cases down near the door, “so it should be warm in here now.”
“Thank you very much,” she said, looking around the familiar room with a smile. “It was a bit of a shock to come back to winter. Spring has already begun in England.”
“We’re still some way off from spring. There will be snow again yet.” He turned to leave. “I’ll leave you to get yourself settled. Welcome back.”
“Thank you.”
He paused at the door and turned to look at her.
“Daniel Carew reserved the room under the name Marlene Elfman. Is that what you wish to be called at present?”
“Yes please.” Evelyn turned to smile at him ruefully. “I was told you would understand.”
A wry smile cracked his face and he nodded brusquely. “I understand perfectly, Miss Elfman.”
He left, closing the door behind him, and she turned to gaze around the room. It was just as she remembered. A large hearth dominated one wall and a four-poster bed was set opposite it. A desk stood next to the bay window overlooking the street, and a single chair was placed near the fire. An upright armoire was in the corner near the door. Everything was neat and clean. Although sparsely furnished, the room was warm and cozy, and Evelyn felt comfortable here.
She picked up her suitcase and carried it over to set it on the bed. Unfastening the leather straps, she unlatched the case, flipping it open to reveal her clothes neatly folded inside. She would unpack and hang the clothes in the wardrobe, then she would make arrangements to see Daniel Carew.
He would be her contact while she was in Oslo. She had dealt with him the last time she was here and had found him to be very helpful and efficient. Evelyn was grateful that he was still the attaché in Oslo. It would be easier to approach this mission surrounded by people she was already familiar with, especially in a strange country.
Her lips curved faintly as she began to unpack. Not that this was a strange country anymore. Driving through the streets on her way here, Evelyn now felt as if the city was becoming familiar to her. Knowing the language this time around certainly helped make her feel comfortable as well, she admitted to herself. Everything wasn’t quite so strange as it was in November. She hadn’t expected to return to Oslo, yet here she was, on a mission to recruit potential spies for England.
Shaking her head,
