Chapter 14

It took a while before Richard was able to recall the name of the aunt Helen had mentioned whom she and her family stayed with each summer, but he was determined to find a way of contacting her. After all, if he hadn't waited to finish with Felicity and had been open about his engagement from the start of his relationship with Helen, she never would have left to go to Jersey. It was his fault entirely that she was in this predicament now and he needed to let her know he was there for her.

It was Sylvia, Sylvia Bowman. He remembered Helen talking about the house and where it was on the island, and after looking at a map he hoped he was right in concluding that she lived on St Aubin's Road. He had cobbled together an address of sorts. It wasn't perfect but, preferring not to upset her mother and brother by visiting them again to press them for details, he decided to send a telegram and hope for the best.

‘Twenty-five words only?' he asked, astonished, at the telegraph office. What could he say with so few words? He stepped aside to let the next person in the queue take his place, then took a pencil and piece of paper and began to draft his message.

Rereading it for the fourth time, Richard knew it didn't say exactly what he wanted but hoped Helen would understand his meaning behind it – if it ever reached her.

No longer engaged. Sorry you left without knowing. Desperately hoping you aresafe and well with Aunt Sylvia. Please send word. Fondest love always, Richard

He queued again and, handing his message over the counter to be transmitted, paid and thanked the woman.

All he could do now was pray Helen received his message and took it in the way that was meant. He loved her – had always done – and ever since he'd discovered she was being held captive on the island by those damn Nazis, he'd realised even more how deeply.

For once he was grateful that he only had a brief leave and was due to return to base in the morning. He needed to be busy so his thoughts had little chance to torment him.

What would he do if she didn't reply? The thought that she might choose not to worried him, then it occurred to him that there might be some reason why she wouldn't be able to. His heart raced as he thought about her and what she might be suffering at the hands of those Nazis. He clenched his fists, knowing there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to protect her. If he was ever given the chance to see her again, he would find a way to make up for all that she had gone through. He prayed he would be able to.