We'll Meet Again

by Lily Baxter

  ‘Saturday afternoon. I usually take Mother to the pictures on Saturday afternoons and Daddy has a nap.’

  ‘You’re an angel. I love you, Pearl.’ Meg leaned across and kissed Pearl on her cheek and ran out of the café, leaving the door to swing on its hinges.

  Meg arrived at Pearl’s house at exactly two o’clock on Saturday afternoon. She hid her bicycle beneath the shrubs in the back garden and entered the drawing room through the French windows. As promised, Pearl had taken her mother to see a Cary Grant film and her father was taking his afternoon nap. The only other person who remained in the household that had once boasted a staff of living-in servants was Hannah, the housekeeper, who had been with the family since she left school. Pearl had assured Meg that Hannah was getting on in years and very deaf. She also had the habit of sleeping the afternoons away in her tiny room on the top floor. Meg paused, listening for signs of movement, but the whole house slumbered quietly in the heat of the afternoon as if it too were having a siesta. The only sound was the ticking of the long-case clock in the hall and the gentle flap of the lace curtains as the summer breeze wafted in from the garden.

  The drawing room looked sad and faded like an old photograph. Dust gathered on the baby grand piano and the Spanish shawl that had draped it so stylishly now hung in limp folds, lacy with moth-holes. The gramophone that had once blared out dance music for Pearl, Adele and their friends now stood in a corner mute and neglected beside a pile of records in tattered brown sleeves. Meg had been too young to be invited to Pearl’s parties but she had often listened to Addie’s accounts of what sounded to her young ears to be highly sophisticated behaviour.

  ‘Meg.’

  She spun round to see Rayner entering through the French windows.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  She turned in the circle of his arms and their lips met in a kiss that made time stand still. The clock on the mantelpiece struck four and Meg broke away from him.

  ‘That can’t be the time. We must leave now.’

  ‘We must meet again soon. I can’t bear to lose you again.’

  She picked up her cardigan and draped it around her shoulders. ‘We’ll find a way to be together, but you must go before Pearl and her mother get back. God knows what Mrs Tostevin would say if she found a German officer in her drawing room.’

  Rayner grinned reluctantly and brushed his lips against her cheek. ‘It’s going to be even harder to keep up pretences now.’

  ‘I know, but we must. Nordhausen already suspects and so does Gerald. Anyway, never mind them. Please go now, and I’ll follow in a minute or two. We mustn’t be seen together.’

  He was gone and Meg stared at herself in the mirror. The young woman with luminous eyes and tenderly curved lips smiling back at her was almost a stranger, so different from the thin-faced, hollow-eyed reflection that Meg had grown used to seeing every morning when she brushed her hair that she hardly recognised herself. She had thought that the carefree, fun-loving Meg had gone forever; she knew now that was not true. She lingered in the room, telling herself that she was making sure they had left no telltale signs to alert Mrs Tostevin, but in reality she could not bear to relinquish the memory of the precious moments they had shared. In two wonderful hours they had talked about so many things. She could scarcely remember all that had been said, but in between passionate embraces they had explored each other’s hearts and minds.

  With a contented sigh and a last glance around the room, which was haunted now by yet another memory, she picked up her handbag and went outside to find her bicycle. She rode home feeling happier than she had done for a long time. The soft breeze caressed her cheeks and the sun warmed her back as she pedalled with renewed vigour. She felt she was flying and nothing, simply nothing, could mar her joy. She knew now that she had always loved him, and to discover the depth of his feelings for her had made a heaven from the present hell.

  Colivet Manor was bathed in sunlight as she rode down the drive towards the house. Outwardly the Queen Anne façade looked exactly the same as always. In her present state of euphoria, Meg could imagine that nothing had changed and that the occupation had never happened. She had regained her youth and she felt free.

  ‘Where the hell have you been?’ Gerald caught hold of the bicycle handlebars, almost unseating her as she rode into the cobbled stable yard. Saving herself by putting both feet firmly on the ground, Meg met his angry eyes and her stolen moments of happiness vanished like smoke in the wind.

  ‘It’s none of your business. How dare you speak to me like that?’

  Gerald’s knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip. ‘I saw him leave the house after you did and he came back twenty minutes ago looking very pleased with himself. You’ve been with the German. Don’t try to deny it.’

  ‘Let go of my bike and stop acting like a fool.’

  He took a step backwards, scowling angrily. ‘I’m not the fool this time, Meg. I know you’re in love with him and I know that you’ve been together. It’s mad and it’s dangerous.’

  She leapt off the bike and thrust it at him. ‘You’re the one leading us into danger. You have been all along so don’t you dare lecture me.’ She began to walk away but Gerald flung the bicycle to the ground and ran after her, catching hold of her arm in a grip that made her wince with pain.

  ‘Tell me that you haven’t been with him and I’ll believe you.’

  ‘You’re a jealous idiot and I don’t have to explain my movements to you or anyone else.’

  He released her with a look of revulsion. ‘What is it with you women? Can’t you be satisfied with your own kind?’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  ‘The bloody Germans, you can’t resist them. First Simone and now you.’

  ‘You’re mad. Simone made a mistake, but that’s all in the past.’

  Gerald shook his head. ‘That’s all you know. She’s been seeing Nordhausen for months. Creeping out after curfew and meeting him. She’s a slut and a Jerrybag and that’s what you are too. A bloody, stinking Jerrybag.’

  Simone made no secret of her relationship with Nordhausen; rather she seemed proud of the fact that the young lieutenant was taking an interest in her. Meg saw them walking together in the grounds whenever he was off duty, and sometimes they went off on his motorcycle with Simone riding pillion. If anyone dared to raise an objection they received a hostile reaction from her which made them think twice before approaching her a second time. Meg said nothing. After all, how could she criticise Simone for having a relationship with a German soldier? It would have been both hypocritical and unfair, and, on a different level, it was a relief to have Nordhausen’s attention diverted from spying on the rest of the family.

  Maud and Bertrand made it clear that they disapproved and would not speak to Simone, but Jane stoically refused to be drawn into the argument. She quite obviously adored little Jeremy, and as Simone’s initial enthusiasm for motherhood soon wore off Jane was always on the spot and more than willing to take care of him. Meg found that she was actually beginning to like Jane, in spite of her caustic tongue and brusque manners. Even Pip annoyed her less these days, or perhaps it was simply that the world seemed a much better place now that she and Rayner had admitted their true feelings for each other. Every morning when she awakened, Meg had to remind herself not to appear too happy in front of the family, not to sing while she worked and above all not to seek out Rayner’s company.

  Pearl was a reluctant but good-natured ally and she made her parents’ house available whenever possible. Sometimes she took her mother to visit relations living in Cobo Bay and on other occasions she took her to the pictures, leaving Meg and Rayner free to snatch an hour or two together. They were always very careful to arrive and leave separately, but Meg was painfully aware that Gerald watched her every movement, and no matter how carefully she contrived her absences from the house he always seemed to know when she had been with Rayner. He rarely said anything to her but the hostile look in his eyes was hurtfu
l, and Meg missed his friendship more than she would have thought possible.

  The warm days lengthened into a gloriously long, hot summer. Despite everything, Meg managed to be with Rayner at least once a week, and she had Buster to thank for giving her an excuse to visit the Tostevins’ house on the Grange. It had become more and more difficult to keep him confined to the house while she was out working in the fields and Nordhausen disliked dogs even more than Grulich. The scarcity of food for everyone, including the Germans, made it difficult to justify feeding an animal that did not work for its living, and when Nordhausen complained to Major Jaeger, she was told that the dog must go. In desperation, Meg had walked Buster all the way to the Tostevins’ house, prepared to do anything if only they would keep him safe until she could claim him again. Pearl’s parents had dithered at first. She realised that they were too kind to say outright that they would not help, but they were obviously not very keen on the idea. It was only when Meg promised to come once a week bringing vegetables, fruit and milk that they finally gave in and allowed Buster to stay.

  ‘Is there anything wrong, sweetheart?’ Rayner’s long, slim fingers played with the strands of hair that had come loose from her snood during their first hungry embrace. Meg nestled into the curve of his body as they sat on the Tostevins’ sofa with Buster sleeping at their feet.

  ‘Of course not.’

  He lifted her chin with the tip of his finger, searching her eyes with a worried frown. ‘I know that’s not true, my love. There is something.’

  She sighed and cuddled closer to him. ‘Gerald knows about us, and Nordhausen is suspicious even though he’s more interested in Simone than anything else, but it’s all getting so complicated.’

  He twisted a lock of her hair around his forefinger. ‘It’s never going to be easy, Meg. Let’s just be thankful for the brief time we have together.’

  ‘I know. You’re quite right. It’s just that I get this awful feeling that something dreadful is about to happen. It’s so perfect here with you and I’m terrified it’s all going to end.’

  ‘I’ll speak to Major Jaeger and see if I can get Nordhausen transferred to another unit. As for Gerald, of course he’s jealous. It’s obvious he’s in love with you, and who could blame him?’

  Unable to resist the warmth in his voice, Meg giggled. ‘Naturally, because I am so adorable.’

  ‘And so you are, my dearest Meg.’ He kissed her with growing urgency, short hard kisses that persuaded her lips to part and blotted out thought and fear.

  The grandfather clock in the hall struck the half-hour and Meg realised that their time together was growing short. ‘Tell me about your home town again,’ she said, kissing him playfully on the tip of his nose. ‘Tell me about the little house on Linden Strasse where we’re going to live happily ever after.’

  He leaned back against the silk cushions. ‘Ah yes. The house! It belonged to my grandfather, who left it to me.’

  ‘Were you the only grandchild?’

  ‘No, my father has a brother who has two children, a boy and a girl, but they emigrated to Brazil in 1920.’

  ‘The uncle who has the coffee plantation. You told us about him.’

  ‘Yes, I am very fond of Uncle Wilhelm. He always wanted me to join them in the family business.’

  ‘But I thought you wanted to take over your father’s factory.’

  Rayner tightened his arms around her. ‘Of course. That is what I promised my father, and whatever my personal desires I would never let him down. I take over the factory when he retires and you and I, my darling, will have lots of children to fill the old nursery at the top of the house.’

  ‘At least they will have plenty of toys,’ said Meg, chuckling.

  ‘You don’t know how good it is to see you laugh again.’ He drew her into his arms and kissed her.

  Meg sang as she entered the house through the scullery door. She chuckled to herself as she recalled the narrow escape they had had when Pearl and her mother returned from the cinema earlier than expected. Actually, Meg thought, feeling her face flushing at the memory, it was more that Rayner was late leaving. If it had not been for Buster leaping up suddenly and barking, Pearl and her mother might have come into the drawing room and caught them in a passionate embrace. As it was, Rayner had slipped out of the French windows just as the door opened, and Meg had bent over Buster and fussed over him to hide her blushes. Mrs Tostevin had lowered herself into her chair by the fireplace and had begun to chatter happily about the film they had just seen. Pearl had raised her eyebrows and shaken her head.

  ‘You’ve been with him again. I can tell by the silly smile on your face,’ Gerald said, jumping to his feet as Meg entered the kitchen. He slammed his mug of mint tea on the table so violently that it spilled over, leaving pools on the scrubbed pine.

  ‘Can’t you let it drop?’

  ‘No, I bloody can’t. You’re risking everything for a man who’s our sworn enemy.’

  ‘I’m not going to argue with you, Gerald. Can’t we be friends again?’

  ‘Friends?’ His voice broke with emotion. ‘I don’t want us to be friends, you know that.’

  She walked slowly towards him with her hands outstretched. ‘I know I’ve hurt you and for that I’m truly sorry, but we have to stick together.’

  ‘Not while you’re having an affair with that Kraut.’

  Meg stared at him, her patience suddenly evaporating as he used David’s old nickname for Rayner, making it sound somehow obscene. ‘What I do is my business. Perhaps you should worry more about what your sister is doing.’

  ‘My sister is a slut. I thought better of you.’

  ‘Interesting,’ said Nordhausen, sauntering into the room. ‘And just how many sisters have you, Herr Colivet, or should I say Herr LeFevre?’

  Meg stared at him, struck dumb with fear, but Gerald leapt to his feet, knocking his chair over as he turned to face Nordhausen. ‘You’re talking rot.’

  Nordhausen smirked. ‘Well, I really seem to have hit on the truth at last.’

  ‘You don’t know what you’re saying.’

  ‘Don’t I?’ Nordhausen leaned nonchalantly against the door post.

  ‘You’ve got it all wrong,’ Gerald said hastily. ‘I am David Colivet.’

  ‘Ask Simone,’ Meg found her voice at last. ‘You’re so friendly with her. Ask her if this is David Colivet or her brother Gerald.’

  ‘I think I can prove that this man is Gerald LeFevre without involving his sister any further. She’s already told me more than she realises. And as for you, Fräulein Meg, I think Hauptmann Dressler will be very interested in what I have to tell him about a certain captain.’

  ‘This is nonsense,’ Meg said, putting on a show of bravado despite the fact that she was quaking inwardly. ‘You can’t prove a thing.’

  ‘I don’t have to. We shall see what Hauptmann Dressler has to say.’

  Nordhausen turned and walked away, slowly and deliberately, his footsteps echoing on the stone-flagged floor and then fading into a deathly silence. Meg could hear a rasping sound and realised it was her own harsh breathing. She spun round to face Gerald. ‘You stupid, jealous fool. You’ve ruined everything.’

  ‘If you hadn’t gone off with that Kraut—’

  ‘Don’t you dare blame me. If your little tart of a sister hadn’t slept with half the German army we might have had a chance.’ Meg ran to the door with some vague idea of stopping Nordhausen and begging him to reconsider, but the sound of Major Jaeger shouting for someone to find Captain Weiss made her stop and clutch at the door frame for support. ‘Oh, my God! Now see what you’ve done.’

  ‘I’m going to find your father. We need his help to settle this.’ Gerald pushed past her and strode off in the direction of the study.

  Meg followed him but the sound of Hauptmann Dressler’s voice raised in anger made her hesitate outside the drawing room. Unable to grasp more than a few words of his rapid German, she strained her ears to catch the sound of R
ayner’s voice, but it was obvious that Dressler was not giving him a chance to defend himself. She could hear Major Jaeger’s calm tones, but he was being out-shouted by his superior. Nordhausen’s higher-pitched voice only seemed to add to the Hauptmann’s fury. Tears of desperation ran down her cheeks. She was on the point of rushing into the room, regardless of anything other than the desperate need to be with Rayner, when Gerald emerged from the study and beckoned furiously. She hesitated, as common sense battled with her instinct to fight for the man she loved. Reluctantly she joined Gerald and her father in the study. Charles was seated behind his desk but he rose to his feet as she entered the room. ‘My dear, Gerald has told me what’s happened.’

  ‘Please, Pa. You must do something to help Rayner.’

  He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do or say that will make any difference.’

  ‘They’ll send him to the Russian front and that’s what he deserves,’ Gerald said, scowling.

  Meg turned on him like a fury. ‘And what do you think they’ll do to you when Nordhausen tells them who you really are?’

  He paled visibly and cast an appealing look at Charles. ‘Sir?’

  ‘We’re not going to get anywhere by fighting each other. We must stick together.’

  ‘It’s a bit late for that, Pa,’ Meg said tiredly. ‘Nordhausen has wheedled the truth out of Simone and Gerald all but admitted it just a few minutes ago.’

  Gerald eyed her coldly. ‘None of this would have come out if you hadn’t fallen for a bloody Kraut bastard.’

  Charles held up his hand. ‘That’s enough. I won’t have that kind of language in my house.’

  ‘Well, it’s true.’ Gerald turned away and began to pace the floor.

  ‘You’re just jealous,’ Meg said bitterly. ‘The real blame lies with you because you can’t control your temper.’

  ‘Stop it, both of you. This has gone far enough.’ Charles sank back on his seat, holding his head in his hands, and Meg hurried round the desk to put her arm around his shoulders.