Wishing her mother would trust her with her own key, Ronnie walked up the path and rang the bell. She heard Rusty barking.
Simone opened the door so quickly Ronnie thought she must have heard her footsteps.
‘I have been very worried,’ Simone began immediately. ‘You said you will be back before dark. It is now past six.’
‘Just let me go and see Rusty,’ Ronnie said quickly. ‘He’ll be wanting his dinner.’
‘I have fed him,’ her mother said. ‘He was driving me crazy. He is in the front room.’
Ronnie stared at her mother. Maman had never fed him before. And allowing him to go in the front room when she wasn’t around to control him? Unheard of. Did that mean Maman was finally softening towards him? She felt a sudden warmth towards her and made a step forward to give her a hug, but Simone had already turned to go back along the hall to the kitchen.
‘Your supper is ready, Véronique. You will eat and tell me about Raine.’
Even though Ronnie was hungry, the meal her mother had prepared of tinned sardines, cold mashed potato and overcooked cabbage didn’t exactly whet her appetite, but she didn’t dare pass any remark, though she noticed Maman hadn’t even attempted hers yet.
‘Raine looks really well, Maman. You can see how happy she is doing the job she loves.’
‘Hmm.’ Her mouth turned down at the corners. ‘I suppose I must be happy, too, but although she does not think it, I worry about her every day.’
‘You shouldn’t. She’s a very careful pilot.’
‘And what did she say about you working for the vet?’
Ronnie felt her cheeks warm. ‘I told her about Mr Lincoln’s offer. But I also told her about another idea I’ve had.’
‘Digging up turnips? No, I do not allow it.’
‘No, Maman, not the Land Army. It’s to work for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company.’
Simone’s eyes narrowed. ‘What is this?’
Ronnie quickly described her interview with Mrs Hunter, all the while watching her mother’s expression turn to horror.
‘I am your maman,’ Simone said, her nostrils flaring. ‘Why did you not discuss this with me? I know why. Because you are aware I will not approve of this work.’
‘It’s what I want to do, Maman.’ Ronnie took another mouthful of the limp yellow cabbage and would have spat it out if she’d been on her own. She put her knife and fork down and caught her mother’s eye. ‘Raine liked Mrs Hunter, the supervisor, and thought it would really suit me.’
How could she make it sound a little easier for Maman to say yes?
‘I only have to make up my mind definitely to carry on after I’ve finished training,’ she said after a few moments. ‘If I change my mind, they would accept it.’
Her mother’s mouth tightened.
‘You will have ruined your hands and nails by then. Winter is coming.’
‘But you know how I prefer to be outside. And it’s something Mrs Hunter says is important for the war effort.’
Simone’s eyes narrowed. ‘You are underage, Véronique. You will need my permission.’
Here it comes.
‘Maman, talk to Raine first. She’s going to telephone you this evening.’
Simone gave a jagged sigh. ‘My three girls. None of you are doing what I would wish. If only Pi—’ She broke off. ‘No, he would not interfere.’ She briefly closed her eyes. ‘But you have made up your mind, I think.’
‘I have, Maman. I want to do this more than anything.’
Simone put her knife and fork together on the plate, her supper barely touched.
‘Then you must tell the vet tomorrow so he can choose someone else. It is a pity. You would be most suited to the work.’
‘I’m not sure about that,’ Ronnie said. ‘Mr Lincoln had to put to sleep a perfectly fit young dog on Saturday.’ Tears gathered as the image danced in front of her. ‘Rusty would have gone the same way if I hadn’t rescued him. I can’t bear anything like that.’
Rusty pricked his ears up and gave a short bark.
Simone looked at Ronnie, her eyes suddenly gleaming. ‘If you insist on this canal work, what arrangements have you made for Rusty who you say you love so much?’
Ronnie gulped. ‘I think it may be possible to take him with me. Dogs do travel on boats and I think he’d like it.’ She wouldn’t tell Maman she hadn’t brought up the subject with Mrs Hunter.
Her mother looked away but not before Ronnie saw how her face fell. ‘Oh, I see.’
What was this? It was almost as though her mother didn’t want to see him gone.
‘Well, you wouldn’t want to look after him.’
‘Have you asked me?’ Simone brought her gaze back to Ronnie.
‘N-no. I never dreamed—’
‘You want to leave me, so everyone has left me,’ Simone said, her voice trembling. ‘First your father, then Lorraine, then Suzanne, and now, once again, Pierre.’ Her lower lip trembled as a lone tear fell down her cheek. ‘I do not know where he is … maybe he is back in France.’
Ronnie felt her own eyes well up. It was an extraordinary thing to have happened – Maman’s first love reappearing after twenty years, knowing she was married but not that she was now a widow. It was so sweet the way they still carried a torch for one another. Best of all, she and her sisters adored the Frenchman who had managed to escape the Gestapo and after a long circuitous journey, find his way to England … and Maman.
‘He’ll keep safe now he has everything to live for.’
Her mother grimaced. ‘His work is dangerous. His name is on the Nazis’ list for stealing their documents about their wicked plans for our beloved Paris if they lose the war.’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘I should not have disclosed such a secret, Véronique. You must never mention this to anyone. What was
