“Which will benefit yours in the long run,” Evelyn said.
The other woman nodded.
“That’s the hope, yes. And so I’ve been learning as much as I can under Daniel Carew and doing what I can. And in all of this I have come to realize that what you do is warfare. The threat to your life is every bit as high as it is for an infantry soldier holding a rifle. Perhaps even worse because there is no respect or quarter given to spies, whereas prisoners of war are simply interned until the war is over.”
Evelyn swallowed, uncomfortable with hearing herself referred to as a spy. She had grown used to thinking of herself in terms of the word agent, or even more generically as a courier. But she had gone far beyond the scope of a courier now.
“Well, I do try not to think of that,” she admitted. “I’d rather just focus on what needs to be done.”
“Do you know, I think my brother would really like you,” Anna said suddenly. “He’s a no-nonsense army lieutenant. He thinks in much the same way.”
“Well, since the odds of our ever meeting are non-existent, I don’t suppose we’ll ever know.”
Anna grinned. “Pity. That’s an introduction I would have loved to have made.”
When Evelyn and Anna walked into the waterfront restaurant, the Friday evening crowd was just starting to roll in. As Anna searched for Kristian, Evelyn looked around, taking in the low ceilings and warm atmosphere of the establishment. It was warm and cozy after the bitter wind coming off the water and she felt herself relaxing as the heat began to seep through her coat.
“Anna!” A voice called. “Here I am!”
A man of medium height pushed his way through the crowd, his curly blond hair shining in the muted lighting. Evelyn watched as he approached Anna, a wide smile on his boyish face, and she liked him immediately. He had an open countenance and his curly hair reminded her of a puppy somehow.
“Kristian!” Anna greeted him, holding out her hands. “How are you?”
“I’m well, I’m well!” He grasped her hands and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You look fantastic. City life agrees with you.”
She laughed. “Thank you! Kristian, this is my friend Marlene. Marlene, this is Kristian Nilsen.”
Evelyn smiled and held out her hand. “Hallo!”
“Hallo!” Kristian grasped her hand, his eyes meeting hers as he smiled at her. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
He withdrew his hand and turned to Anna. “Come. I’ve got a table in the back corner where it is a little quieter and we can talk without shouting.”
She nodded and they followed him through the throng to the back of the restaurant. As they made their way through what turned out to be a very large establishment, the crowds thinned out and the volume lowered considerably as they drew further away from the front. Looking around, Evelyn realized that there were actually two restaurants. The one where they entered was closer to what she recognized as a pub setting, while the back restaurant where they were obviously sitting was less casual; and much quieter.
“I’m so glad you came down to visit,” Kristian said once they were seated. “I haven’t seen Erik in almost a year. How is he?”
“Same as ever,” Anna said with a smile. “He’s stationed up near Trondheim. I saw him over Christmas.”
“Is he worried about the war? If we get dragged into it, he’ll be in the thick of it. Still, I suppose that’s what he signed up for.”
“You know Erik. He’s very practical about the whole thing. If war comes, he’s ready. If it doesn’t, he’s ready for that as well.”
Kristian looked at Evelyn. “Anna tells me you’re visiting from Belgium,” he said with a smile. “How does it look there at the moment? As far as the war?”
“About the same as it always has,” she said with a shrug. “There are bomb shelters in the cities now, and the threat of a German invasion has some people nervous, but for the most part, life goes on.”
“That’s good. I hope you never have to make use of the bomb shelters.”
“So do I!”
A waiter approached their table to take their drink orders and Kristian glanced at her.
“Are you a beer drinker, Marlene?” he asked.
Evelyn swallowed. While she had had an odd pint or two in the past, it wasn’t something young women of her class drank when they were out and about. In fact, if her mother had ever caught her with a pint in the pub, she was fairly sure she would have a heart attack.
“Not particularly, but I’m not opposed to it,” she replied.
“You must try a glass of Aass while you’re here,” he said. “It’s a local beer. The brewery is right here in Drammen.”
“Oh?”
Anna grinned and added her voice to Kristian’s, a devilish twinkling in her eyes.
“You really should try it. It’s very good, and something you won’t find outside of Norway.”
“At least, not yet,” Kristian said, ordering three glasses of the beer.
Evelyn smiled graciously and accepted that she would be drinking beer with her meal. She supposed she would have to adjust to the company she found herself in as the war progressed, and now was as good a time as any to begin. After all, when in Rome, and all that.
“What brings you to Norway, Marlene?” Kristian asked once the waiter had left. “Your Norwegian is very good, by the way.”
“Thank you. I’m here to visit an old friend of mine from school. She’s married and lives in Oslo now.”
“How
