“Were you able to convince Anna to come with me?” she asked suddenly.
He shook his head. “No. You were right. She is determined to stay here and fight, with us.”
Evelyn sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be able to talk her into it, but I admit that I hoped you could.”
“Hoped he could what?” Anna asked, walking into the living room.
Her face was scrubbed clean and her hair was brushed out and re-braided. She no longer looked like a homeless vagabond, and Evelyn smiled, turning in her chair.
“Nothing,” she said. “It’s not important.”
“Did you get it working?” Anna asked, walking over to stand by the table and looking down at the radio.
“No.”
“What now, then? How will you know if the plan is still the same?”
“I won’t, not until I get there tomorrow.”
Anna looked at her for a moment, then shook her head and reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder.
“If something goes wrong, you’ll stay with us,” she said. “No arguments. We’ll find a way to get you to the Swedish border.”
Evelyn swallowed. She had no intention of staying and keeping them in such danger, but she knew it was no use to say as much to Anna.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” she said instead, forcing a smile.
“Come into the kitchen and eat,” Jørgen said from the door, drawing their attention. “It’s not much, just hot soup and toasted bread, but it will fill you. You all look half-starved.”
Evelyn and Erik stood up and she closed the radio case, locking it securely.
“Hot soup sounds like heaven,” she murmured, turning away from the table. “Are you an angel in disguise, Jørgen?” she asked.
The man grunted. “I’m no angel, Miss, but I will help where I can,” he said brusquely. “While you eat, I will build up the fire in here and get some blankets. It won’t be fancy, but you all should be comfortable enough.”
“Perhaps you’re not an angel,” Anna said with a smile, “but as far as I’m concerned, you’re a hero. Thank you for all of this.”
He flushed and waved them towards the kitchen.
“No need to thank me. Go and eat before Philip eats it all. He had almost finished a bowl already before I came in here.”
Evelyn followed the others towards the kitchen, pausing to watch as Jørgen went over to the large fireplace in the center of the wall and began to pile more logs onto the low flame. Suddenly and irrationally, she knew that Norway would be all right. Whether or not the Germans succeeded in occupying the small country, the people would survive. People like Jørgen, the Hansen’s, and the Kolstad’s in Oslo would keep helping where they could, spreading hope when there would seem to be none. People like Anna, Peder, Kristian, Olav, and now Erik would fight, and die, to make sure that the country survived. No matter how dark the days got, there would always be hope.
As Evelyn turned away to go into the kitchen, she grasped that hope and held on to it. She had to believe it or she would never be able to get on a ship tomorrow and leave Anna and Erik to their fate.
London, England
April 14
Bill looked up as Wesley entered his office, a newspaper in one hand and a stack of folders in the other.
“Good morning, sir,” he said, closing the door behind him and crossing to the desk. “Have you been here long?”
“No. I’ve just arrived,” Bill said, reaching for the folders. “Sorry to have you come in on a Sunday. It will only be for a few hours.”
“It’s all right, sir. I understand.” Wesley cleared his throat. “Have you seen the papers?”
Bill glanced up from the folder he was flipping through and raised his eyebrows.
“Not yet, no.”
Wesley handed him the newspaper. “I think it might cheer you up. I know it did me.”
Bill took the paper and opened it to read the headline. GERMAN DESTROYERS AND U-BOAT DESTROYED AT NARVIK.
“Oh, that is good news!” he exclaimed, scanning the article. “Eight destroyers sunk and one U-boat.”
“If it’s accurate, that’s a big chunk of the Kriegsmarine destroyer strength,” Wesley said.
“I’d say it’s half, if the numbers we have on their naval strength are accurate. That’s jolly good news!”
“I thought you’d enjoy it, sir.” Wesley smiled. “We were due for some good news.”
“Yes, we were.” Bill finished reading the article and set the paper down. “Still nothing from the radio room?”
“No, sir.”
He frowned and took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes.
“Where the hell is she?” he muttered, not expecting an answer. He got up and walked over to the map of Norway on the wall. “Lieutenant Commander Wheeler is in Namsos now. He has orders to leave as soon as the marines are safely ashore.”
“How many ships are with him?” Wesley asked, joining him at the map.
“Two more cruisers and ten destroyers.” Bill scratched his head as he gazed at the map. “They’re remaining in Norway, and Wheeler is leaving to rendezvous with another cruiser and three destroyers heading back to Scapa Flow. He can’t remain any longer than absolutely necessary. It’s too dangerous for a cruiser to be sailing alone with the U-boat threat.”
Before Wesley could offer a comment, a knock fell on the door and he turned to open it, admitting a young man in uniform.
“Good morning, sir,” he said respectfully. “This just came through for you. It’s from the HMS Cardiff.”
Bill held out his hand, taking the folded message from the young man. “Thank you.”
He nodded and turned to leave as Bill went back towards his desk, his head bent over the paper as he scanned the message quickly. Wesley closed the door behind him and turned to look at Bill.
“What does it say? Do they have her?” he asked.
“No.” Bill dropped into his seat again and laid the message on the desk. “They’re docked and unloading. Wheeler wants to know if his passenger is coming. I have absolutely no
