Chapter 15

November 1941

The afternoon dragged and it was a relief to have an excuse to pop into the Hamels' home on her way back from work. Ida had been looking after Bobby again because her aunt had needed to go to the doctor's surgery for another check-up. Despite her prayers it was clear to them both that her aunt's health was declining by the week. She pushed the troubling thought aside and knocked on number 3's front door.

She hated the early nightfall of the winter, especially now the streets were filled with uniformed soldiers who always seemed to be watching them from under their caps. Hearing German voices she looked up to see three of them coming in her direction. Aware she had to pass them, and not wishing to do so, she picked up her pace and crossed the road, taking care not to catch their eye.

‘Hello, love,' Ida said waving her in. ‘Hurry up and get inside, we're trying to keep the worst of the cold air out of the house.' Once the door was closed behind Helen, she added, ‘You sound slightly out of breath. You all right?'

‘Yes, thanks.' She didn't add that she was in a rush to share what she had discovered with Peggy. ‘Is Peggy home yet?'

‘She is, love. You'll find her and Tony in there with the little one,' she said indicating the living room door before making her way to the kitchen.

‘Thank you.' Helen was relieved she would be able to speak to Peggy and Tony alone, excited not to have to wait to share her news with the pair of them.

‘Hello,' Peggy said smiling at her as she walked in. ‘Come and sit down with us for a bit.'

Helen sat on the chair opposite the sofa where the couple were seated, aware that Peggy assumed she would be in a rush to get Bobby home. She leant down to ruffle Bobby's hair. ‘Obviously too happy playing with his toys to bother with his mummy,' she joked.

‘How's your day been?' Peggy asked.

Tony nodded.

‘We've just been talking about these poor enforced workers being made to build all the fortifications springing up around the island.'

Helen pictured the rows of badly treated men and women she had seen being marched through town on various occasions when she had walked to Westmount to visit her aunt at Overdale. ‘I have some news about that,' she said, excited to share what she had heard.

'It infuriates me to see how badly treated they are,' Tony said scowling, a fierce look in his dark brown eyes.

‘Strangely enough, that's what I wanted to speak to you about.'

She saw her friends sit up a little straighter and hoped she wasn't about to disappoint them with what she had to share. Seeing their eager faces, Helen hurriedly explained what had happened. ‘I'm not sure if I've remembered that word correctly,' she said, ‘but it sounded something like Hohlgangsanlage acht. I don't know if it means anything to you, but I tried to remember it in case it did.'

Tony's mouth opened for a second and she could see he was clearly intrigued. ‘Was there anything else, do you recall?'

Helen felt her excitement rise, hoping she did have something that the pair of them could use to help someone. ‘Yes. They also said untermenschen.'

‘Are you sure?' Peggy asked, taking hold of Tony's hand as she stared at Helen.

‘Yes, definitely. The were referring to an enforced worker, weren't they? I could tell they were angry about it.'

Tony turned to Peggy, rubbing his chin. ‘One of the workers has escaped, I imagine. I've heard about these tunnels being worked on. They're down past Meadowbank, along Les Charrières de Malorey.' His voice petered out and he sat back thoughtfully.

‘This is very useful information, Helen,' Peggy said reaching forward and taking Helen's hand.

‘Really?'

‘Yes.' Tony clasped his hands together. ‘Either the worker escaped from there, or that's where they're focusing their search for him. With this information we can make a plan to try and track him down before the Jerries do.' He smiled at her. ‘This is a great help, Helen. Well done.'

Helen realised hours had been wasted since she came across this news. ‘I overheard them earlier this morning, so they might have already found the poor guy.'

Tony stood. ‘That's true. But if they haven't, then we still have a chance to help him.' He bent to kiss Peggy. ‘I'm going to have to go and see what I can do.'

Peggy took his hand in hers. ‘Please be careful, Tony.'

‘I will.' He looked at Helen, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ‘You've done well.'

As soon as he'd left, Peggy wrapped her arms around her chest. ‘I worry about him when he dashes off like that but I know he needs to feel useful.' She sighed. ‘Tony's right, though, you have done very well.'

It was what she needed to hear. ‘I'm pleased. Now, I'd better get this little one home. I shouldn't leave Aunt Sylvia alone for any longer.'

Helen left satisfied to have finally done something useful. It was a wonderful feeling.