“We have a long road ahead of us,” Anna said after a long minute. “Are you scared?”
“Of the Germans?”
“Of not making it to Namsos in time.”
Evelyn thought for a moment, then sighed.
“If I allow myself to consider it, then I am,” she said. “I’m trying to focus on what I can control, and right now that is simply to cover as much ground each day as humanly possible. If I don’t make it, there will be time enough to be afraid then.”
“Peder told me while we were eating that he is worried. He’s afraid that you will be stranded here. He thinks we should have tried for the border after all.”
“There’s no use thinking about that now. We’re here and I have a way out being arranged for me. This is at least guaranteed, if I can get there in time. Sweden was never guaranteed.”
“True.” Anna fell silent for a few minutes, then she shifted again. “I keep thinking that perhaps it’s my fault that we’re in this position.”
Evelyn lifted her head to peer at her in the firelight.
“How can it be your fault?” she demanded. “Did you tell Hitler to invade? Don’t be ridiculous. None of this is your fault.”
“If I hadn’t talked you out of the border, you could be in Sweden now.”
“Or I could have been turned away and we would be trapped between the border and Oslo. That would be much more dodgy than this. At least here we have Erik, who is willing to take us as far as Trondheim. This is the best place we could be, all things considered.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Anna didn’t sound convinced. “At least you’re getting to see some of Norway,” she said after a moment with a short laugh.
Evelyn grinned. “Yes, I am.”
They fell silent again and then Evelyn propped herself up on her arm.
“Anna?”
“Yes?”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
Anna looked at her, surprised. “Go with you? You mean to England?”
“Yes.”
“But...I can’t! The ship is for you, not me.”
“They won’t turn you away, not if I tell them you’re a valuable asset,” Evelyn said in a low voice. “Think about it for a moment. You’ll be safe in England. You’ve done so much for me that the least we can do is offer you refuge.”
“Marlene, I can’t leave Norway,” she said after a moment, shaking her head. “If we can’t repel the Nazis, we will need people willing to resist them. I can be of use here, in my own country.”
“But if they succeed and occupy Norway, you will be trapped here,” Evelyn pointed out. “You’ll be forced to live under Nazi rule, and the Gestapo will take over your police. They’ll remember you from last fall. You will have nowhere to hide.”
“I doubt the same men will come here, but that’s a chance I’ll have to take. There will be people willing to fight and resist, but they will need guidance and leaders. You’ve already begun a network. I can finish it, and ensure that we can get valuable information out to your agency.”
Evelyn considered her thoughtfully. She was right, she admitted to herself. Anna was in a perfect position to continue what she had started over the past few days. If the Germans weren’t forced back and out of Norway, they would need people on the ground who could pass intelligence out. They would also need people who would continue the fight from within. Anna was both. She had already proven that she was willing to work with the English in the war effort, and her help would continue to be invaluable if Norway was lost to them. She was someone they could trust, and who would do what needed to be done.
“Are you sure?” she asked softly. “It won’t be easy, and you will be shot if you’re caught.”
Anna met her gaze and nodded. “I’m sure,” she replied just as softly. “This is where I belong.”
Evelyn nodded slowly and laid back down. She had offered, and Anna had refused. There was nothing more to be said. And the other woman was right about one thing: Norway would need people willing to resist the Nazis, and Anna was certainly one of them. She had proven her willingness to do whatever was necessary to oppose the Germans last fall, and again over the past few days. Evelyn knew that they would be very lucky to have her on their side.
She just hoped and prayed that Anna would be able to evade capture. If the Gestapo got hold of Anna Salvesen, not only would the fledgling network be doomed, but Evelyn’s identity would be at risk once again. Anna may not know her real name, but she had learned a lot over the past few months that the Germans would be thrilled to pry out of her.
And then no one would be safe.
April 10
Evelyn stepped outside and looked around. Dawn had broken, casting the clearing into deep shadow, and bringing with it a cool, crisp breeze. Anna and Peder were still sleeping inside, but Evelyn couldn’t stay on the uncomfortable bed one moment longer. When she got up, Erik and the rest of the soldiers had already rolled up their beds and left the barn. Now, stepping outside, she saw that Erik and two others were talking several yards away, near the trees. When she walked outside, they turned to look at her and Erik lifted a hand in greeting. She waved back and started across the clearing towards them.
“Good morning,” she called. “Where is everyone?”
“They’ve gone to patrol ahead to make sure the path is clear,” Erik replied. “Once they confirm that no Germans are advancing into the mountains, we can be on our way.”
“And if they are?”
“Then we find a different way.”
Erik turned his head to say something in a low voice to the other two. They nodded and turned to head into the trees.
“Where are they going?” she asked, watching them leave.
“To check behind us,” he said shortly, turning to walk
