Chapter 25

Peggy barely noticed how wet and achingly cold her feet and ankles were as she made her way to Newgate Street prison. She focused on what she intended to say to keep her mind off her discomfort. She probably had one chance to speak to someone in authority and try to either secure Tony's release or find out more about how long he might be kept there. She dismissed the possibility that he could be sent away to a camp, because the prospect was too terrible to contemplate. She struggled to remain calm, but she was supposed to be going there as Advocate Le Gresley's secretary, not as Tony's girlfriend. She needed to remain as professional as possible.

Slamming into something, Peggy's feet slid from under her, causing her to land heavily on her bottom on the pavement. There was a shout in German as she struggled to climb to her feet, her efforts hampered by the icy conditions. Slipping over a second time, Peggy fell onto her hands and knees, making them sting.

‘Here, let me help you,' a kindly person said, taking her by the arms and helping her carefully to her feet.

‘Thank you.' Peggy looked into the sad eyes of a dark-haired middle-aged man.

‘I hadn't banked on it being this icy.' She peered past him to see the soldier striding away, not caring whether she was hurt. ‘I must have bumped into him.'

‘Nasty piece of work, that one,' he said. Peggy assumed he had had a run-in with the man before. ‘He should have been looking where he was going. He was too busy sneering at me to notice you before it was too late.'

‘I should have been a little more careful, too,' she said, doing her best to brush snow off the seat of her coat and her knees. ‘I must look a mess.'

‘You'll soon dry when you're somewhere warmer.' He considered something for a moment. ‘Would you like me to accompany you to wherever it is you're going?'

Peggy didn't think that wise. ‘There's no need. I'm on my way to Newgate.'

He looked aghast. ‘The prison?'

She nodded. ‘I have a letter to deliver.' When the man eyed her suspiciously, she thought it best to elaborate further. ‘I work for an advocate and one of his clients has been arrested. We're hoping to secure his release.'

‘I see.' He looked around, seeming uncomfortable. ‘I really should be on my way. My son will worry if I'm late.'

‘Thank you again for helping me, it was very kind of you.'

Determined to be more careful, Peggy set off again and shortly afterwards reached the junction where Seaton Place met Gloucester Street. She was about to cross the road when she spotted someone she thought she recognised, walking with head bowed and his hands deep in his coat pockets.

‘Tony?' She breathed his name, barely daring to hope he had been released. Realising he wasn't coming in her direction but heading towards the Esplanade, she picked up speed until, slipping slightly, she had to grab the wall beside her to keep her balance. She slowed her pace, hoping not to lose him. She was about to call out to him when she saw two officers coming in her direction from Newgate Street.

She crossed Gloucester Street, doing her best to follow Tony, wishing he would slow down and allow her to catch up. Damn this ice, she fumed. If only she could run, she would catch up to him in no time. Where was he going, anyway? His father's office was in the opposite direction.

Eventually, seeing the road was clear of soldiers, Peggy called out to him. She kept her voice fairly low, not wishing to draw attention to herself, but when he didn't hear she shouted again, this time a little louder.

‘Tony, wait.'

He stopped and turned, looking surprised to see her there and immediately hurried to join her.

‘Where were you going?' she asked as he slipped his arms around her in a brief hug. ‘Your father will be waiting to hear from you.'

‘I was going straight to see him but changed my mind.' He smiled, looking a little sheepish. ‘I wanted to let you know what had happened.' He took her hands in his. ‘I knew you'd be worried.'

‘I was.' She slipped her arms around his waist and clung to him for as long as she dared until a military vehicle passed and she let go, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention.

‘Never mind me, what are you doing here?'

She quickly explained about taking a letter from his father to the prison governor. ‘Well, that was the plan, but it doesn't matter now you're free.' She brushed away a tear. ‘We never dared expect you to be out this quickly.' She saw him studying her.

‘You're trembling.' He noticed her damp skirt. ‘And you're soaking. Did you fall?' He took her arms and held her away from him as he inspected her knees. ‘Your tights are ripped.' He took her hand and began leading her along the road.

‘Where are we going?'

‘I'm taking you home. You need to change into something dry before you catch a chill.'

She tugged at his hand trying to stop him. ‘I must go to the office first,' she explained, her voice rising when he didn't slow down. ‘Your father will be waiting to hear from me.'

‘That can wait. He won't be expecting you to be very quick, anyway.' He held her tightly to his side. ‘It's because of me and my actions that you're out here in the freezing cold wearing wet clothes. I'm not going to have you falling ill and on my conscience.' He led her towards St Aubin's Road. ‘And before you argue, I can assure you my father would expect me to do this.'

She gave in, aware that he was right and grateful to be going home. Her head ached with the cold and her knee throbbed. She looked up at him as they walked and, sensing her gaze on him, Tony smiled at her. ‘When you're changed, you can tell me what you intended saying to the jail Kommandant.'

‘Happily,' she agreed. ‘And you can tell me what you were doing to cause your arrest.'

They reached her home and Peggy opened the front door, beckoning him inside.

‘Are you certain your mother won't mind?' he asked looking past her towards the kitchen.

Peggy loved that her tiny mother barely five feet in height intimidated a man as big as Tony. She was about to tease him when Ida marched through from the kitchen, a wooden spoon in one hand and a towel draped over her other arm. ‘Won't mind what?'

‘Tony, you're out?' Babs cheered from halfway up the stairs. She ran down to join them.

Tony widened his eyes at Peggy and she could tell he was embarrassed.

‘What are you doing back home so early?' Ida noticed Peggy's ripped tights and bedraggled appearance, moved forward and touched her daughter's leg. ‘Are you hurt?'

Peggy shook her head. ‘I slipped, Mum. I'm fine. Tony spotted me and insisted on walking me home.' She didn't elaborate, and was glad when her mother didn't ask questions.

‘That's very gentlemanly of you, Tony.' Ida gave him a grateful smile then, turning her attention to Peggy, raised her eyebrows. ‘Go to your room and change before you catch your death.'

Not wishing him to leave before she was back down again, Peggy said, ‘Maybe Tony would like a warm drink before he sets off to work?'

Her mother winced. ‘Where's my manners? Babs, show Tony through to the living room.'

‘Please, it's fine,' he argued. ‘I really should speak to my father without delay.' He caught Peggy's eye and that usual flutter in her stomach increased. ‘I'll see you on Monday, then?'

‘It's all right, Mum, I'll see Tony out.'

Her mother gave a resigned sigh. ‘Fine, but be quick about it. I want you in dry clothes in the next couple of minutes.'

She waited for her mother to return to the kitchen. Babs gave her a cheeky grin then said goodbye to him and joined Ida.

When they were alone, Peggy hugged him. ‘Thanks again for bringing me home.'

‘Thank you for trying to rescue me.' He looked over her head, then lowered his voice. ‘We'll speak at the office on Monday. I doubt your mother will be happy with you going out in this weather tonight and I assume my parents will have a lot to say to me.'

‘Could we meet tomorrow?'

He didn't catch her eye for a second then sighed. ‘I would love to, but I have a meeting.'

Peggy mood dipped and her head ached with worry. ‘Oh, no, Tony?—'

He put a finger to her lips and shook his head. ‘I'll be fine, I promise.' He checked they were alone then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. ‘I really must go now.'

She held onto his hand, hoping that whatever he was doing wouldn't get him into more trouble. ‘You're not going to tell me what you were doing when they arrested you, are you?'

‘It's safer if you don't know.' He gave her a searching look and she knew he was trying to gauge whether she trusted him.

‘It's fine. I understand, but please be more careful in future.'

He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment and Peggy hoped he was about to confide in her about something. ‘I will,' he said, kissing her. ‘I promise never to get caught again.'

‘I don't see how you can say that.'

‘Peggy,' her mother's voice boomed from the kitchen. ‘You'd better not still be in those wet clothes.'

‘Go and change.' He kissed her quickly and was out of the door before she had a chance to say anything else.

‘I'm changing now, Mum,' she shouted, running upstairs to her room praying Tony would keep safe.