Chapter 9

Acouple of days later, Peggy was working through her last few pages of dictation when there was a familiar knock on her office door. ‘Come in,' she called, aware it was Tony. Losing her concentration, she misspelled a word. ‘Blast it.'

‘Sorry, I didn't mean to distract you.'

‘It's fine,' she said, not wanting him to think it was his fault. ‘It's good to see you.'

‘You seem out of sorts,' he said, his head on one side. ‘Something troubling you?'

She explained about Helen not understanding German. ‘I don't know why I ever assumed she might,' Peggy admitted miserably. ‘Now I have a feeling I've made her feel inadequate in some way. I wish now I'd never said anything about her listening for snippets of information when she's serving the officers.'

He frowned. ‘Could you teach her a few German words or phrases she can listen out for?'

‘Like what?' she asked, intrigued.

‘Things that would alert your suspicions which we can then investigate, or look out for. Words for "prisoners" or "secret". He hesitated. ‘I hate the word, but maybe "slave" too, although they're probably more likely to call the poor souls they bring over "sub-human".'

‘Urgh, this lot really are despicable,' Peggy said, more determined with each passing moment to do as he suggested. ‘Good idea, I'll do that. I sense Helen really wants to help in some way. I think doing so will help her justify working so close to them. Thanks, Tony.' Realising he hadn't mentioned his reason for stopping by her office, she asked, ‘Was there something you wanted to speak to me about?'

‘I nearly forgot. Babs is waiting outside for you.' He glanced at the work she still had to do. ‘Shall I go and let her know you'll be with her as soon as you can?'

‘Yes, please.'

He kissed her. After he had left Peggy thought about his suggestion to come up with a list of words or phrases for Helen. The idea was a good one and would give Helen something to work with. Remembering her work and the typo she needed to correct, Peggy forced herself to focus on the job. As soon as she had finished, she slipped the typed documents into a folder and placed them in her desk drawer, ready to be taken through to her boss's office first thing in the morning.

Her coat on, she hurried outside to find Babs laughing and chatting happily with Tony.

Tony spotted her. ‘Here she is.'

Babs beamed at her and gave Peggy a hug. ‘We were wondering when you were coming.'

‘Sorry for making you wait.'

‘It's fine,' Babs said, linking her arm through Peggy's. ‘Thanks for keeping me company, Tony.'

‘Let's get a move on then,' Peggy said, her grumbling stomach reminding her she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. ‘I'm starving. I hope Mum's managed to buy something decent for supper.'

‘Me, too,' Babs said.

Peggy's thoughts turned to Helen. She felt sorry for her, being alone. ‘Maybe we should pop in to see how Helen's coping without her aunt?'

‘That's a good idea. Mum said they're hoping Sylvia will be coming home soon.'

Peggy spotted a woman pushing a pram further ahead on the other side of the road. ‘Look,' she said, pointing. ‘I think that's Helen. If we hurry, we'll catch up with her and be able to help her lift the pram into her house.'

Once inside Helen's home, Peggy held Bobby while Helen washed her hands and put the kettle on the stove to boil. ‘Looking after a baby by yourself and working must be exhausting.'

‘It is a bit. Do you two time for a cuppa?' Helen asked, looking less troubled than she had when they first caught up with her.

Peggy shook her head. She didn't want to use any of Helen's rations. ‘No, it's all right. We just wanted to see how you were coping being here alone.

‘Aunt Sylvia sent a message to me at work letting me know she's being discharged tomorrow. She insists she's feeling much better.' Helen stroked Bobby's head. ‘It's a huge relief, I can tell you. I can't wait for her to be back home with us again.'

Peggy could imagine it. It was bad enough for her, trying to cope with the changes in her own life even with family around her. She also knew lots of people, whereas Helen barely knew a soul. The thought made her glad she and Babs had called in to see her.

‘I'm sure it is,' Babs said. ‘If you like I can ask Mum if you can join us for supper.'

‘That's kind of you,' Helen said thoughtfully. ‘But I should make sure everything is ready for my aunt. She'll probably arrive home when I'm still at work, so I'll need to prepare everything tonight.'

‘How are you finding your job?' Peggy asked, wondering if that was what Helen had been mulling over when she spotted her earlier.

‘It's not too bad.' She shrugged. ‘I know I'm lucky to have it.' She glanced at Bobby. ‘Cook is a bit scary, but kind, and Mrs Edwards is fine, not that I've seen much of her day to day.'

‘What about the officers? It can't be much fun working around them?' Babs asked, tickling Bobby and making him almost wriggle out of Peggy's arms.

‘I don't have much to do with them, which is a relief. Although one did stop and chat to me the other day. He unnerved me, if I'm honest. Although it wasn't anything I can put my finger on.'

‘Our mum says to always trust your instincts,' Peggy said.

Helen took the kettle off the stove. ‘My aunt always says the same thing.'

‘We'd better get going now, Peggy,' Babs said.

‘I suppose we should,' Peggy said, noticing Helen looking thoughtful as she made tea. ‘You go ahead, Babs. I want to cuddle this little one for another couple of minutes.'

‘Don't be too long, will you?' Babs said, chucking Bobby under his chin and leaving.

As soon as the front door closed Helen looked at her. ‘Is there something you want to speak to me about?'

Peggy was impressed she had noticed. ‘You're very perceptive. Even my own sister didn't pick up on that.' She arched an eyebrow. ‘There is.'

Helen listened in fascination as Peggy suggested teaching her a few specific German words.

‘What do you think?' Peggy asked, hoping Helen wouldn't feel overwhelmed. ‘I don't want you to feel you have to, but if you are still willing to help, this might be a way of doing it.' She watched as Helen briefly mulled over her suggestion.

‘I definitely want to help and I think this could be a perfect solution.'

Peggy didn't want to alarm Helen by mentioning Tony's part in it. She beamed. ‘That's settled then. I'll come up with a list of words and phrases for you to learn and if you hear any of them you can let me know. Taking note of the tone of their voices will also help for context.'

She saw Helen's shoulders straighten and a smile cross her face and knew she had done the right thing in sharing Tony's suggestion.

‘I'm nervous about doing it,' Helen said. ‘But I'm excited to put your idea into action.'

‘Great, then I'll get that list to you as soon as I can.'