Read Online Aiding the Enemy (War Girls) by Julie Rowe - Free Book Online Page A

dead. He let go of her hand when they reached the rear of the church and leaned down. When he stood, he was holding a bundle of cloth in his hands.
    “Here, put this on.”
    She unfolded it to reveal her dark traveling cape. “Thank you.”
    “Hurry. We can’t be seen.”
    She took off her apron and handed it to him then put on the cape.
    He folded the apron, stuck it in a hole and covered it with dirt. He handed her a bag with a long shoulder strap. “A few things I thought you might want.”
    “Oh, thank you.” Thank you seemed too small a statement, too little a reply to what he’d done for her.
    He threw the strap to another bag over his shoulder then grabbed her hand again. “Let’s go, and if we’re stopped let me do the talking.” He pulled her towards the street.
    “What are you—”
    “Rose, I’ll explain everything once we’re safe. I promise.”
    “Safe? What do you mean?”
    “I’m getting you out of Belgium.”
    “But you can’t. You’re a German doctor, in their army. If they catch you, you’ll be executed.”
    “Yes.” One word, nothing more, but his whole life was contained in it.
    She tried to drag him to a stop. “No. No, you can’t do this. Don’t throw your life away so needlessly.”
    He turned and she nearly stumbled, but once again he caught her. He put his face close to hers, close enough for her to feel his breath on her skin. “It is done . There’s no going back. Not for either of us.”
    She swallowed a sob and nodded. “All right.” But she could not stop the shaking of her body.
    He seemed reluctant to let go of her. “Are you able to continue?”
    “Yes.”
    He took her hand again and led her down the dark street. They walked for some time before entering a neighbourhood full of large houses. Palatial houses.
    “Where are we?”
    “Near the Royal Palace.”
    Good grief . “The palace has a commanding German army presence.”
    “Undeniably.”
    “But—”
    “Rose.” Herman glanced over his shoulder with a half smile. “Enough.”
    They walked openly on the street for several minutes then veered off on a garden path to approach a house from the rear. Herman opened a door and they walked into a kitchen. He guided her through it and up a set of stairs. The hallway was dark, but he unerringly found a door, pulling her in and closing it behind them.
    A match flared. He lit a candle. They were in a bedroom.
    “Where are we?” she asked, keeping her voice quiet.
    “My uncle’s home here in Brussels.” Herman went to the door and locked it. “This is my bedroom.”
    “Your uncle? The general-major?”
    “Yes.”
    Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.
    “Don’t panic, Rose, we’re safer here than anywhere else.”
    “Until someone, anyone , finds us.”
    He removed his overcoat and hung it in a wardrobe. “What happened to your ability to look on the bright side?”
    He wasn’t behaving at all like she expected. “I can’t imagine. I’ve been arrested and questioned, and until a short time ago, I thought I would be punished for the crime of compassion.”
    “I think you’re tired, frightened and confused.”
    “I...you...” He was a lunatic. It was the only explanation for what he’d done. “Stop it, just stop. I made a conscious decision to help those men—British, Belgian and French soldiers—knowing the consequences. I won’t allow you to commit treason because of my actions.”
    A pirate’s smile stole across his face and his arms crossed over his chest. “Try and stop me.”
    She whirled and went for the door. He caught her before she could reach the knob, wrapped her in his strong arms and pulled her into his body, her back to his front. “I chose this path after careful consideration of all possible actions. I’ve worked with you for months. I know you. You don’t have a deceitful bone in your body.”
    “But I lied...”
    “Was it lying when you let that dying soldier believe you were his wife? When you