Chapter 33

That night, as Helen lay on the mattress cuddling Bobby, she stared out of the window at the stars in the inky black sky and wondered at how quickly everything had changed. The day had passed in a blur. Her mind was still spinning from the drama of having to pack essentials and sneak them over to this house, which was so similar in layout to number 2.

It helped to know her aunt's home was on the other side of the stone wall separating the properties. Although, she mused, it was also painful to think that it was within touching distance and yet permanently separated from her.

She looked around the attic space, which now held a small table and a clean leather suitcase with her and Bobby's clothes folded neatly inside. Babs was going to help her make it more homely the following day, and Ida had promised to cut down a pair of old curtains, so that Helen could shut out the night whenever she wanted to. Now, though, she was happy to be able to lie here as the rest of the house slept and watch the same stars that she had always seen from her own window.

Bobby stirred in her arms and Helen realised she needed to try and sleep. There was still a lot to do if she and her little boy were to make this cavernous room their home for the foreseeable future.

She woke to Bobby giggling and poking her gently in the eye.

‘Ouch,' she said, pretending to be shocked and making him curl up in amusement. ‘Cheeky boy!' She laughed, tickling him and wishing he would stay like this, unfazed by all that was going to happen to them over the coming months and, she thought, feeling sick, possibly years. She shook her head to banish the troublesome thought and tickled him again.

Bobby jumped out of bed and ran off across the wooden floor. It occurred to Helen how noisy his footsteps might become as he grew. She would have to find slippers or footwear with a soft sole if she was to ensure he wasn't heard downstairs. Thoughts raced through her mind as she realised that the two of them would need to make many adjustments if they were to remain hidden from the Nazis.

Helen sighed and wondered if she was doing the right thing, putting Bobby into this prison, albeit one looked over by friends.

‘What's that sigh for?' came a voice behind her. She turned to see Babs at the attic door carrying a jug of water. ‘Mum sent this up so you can wash.' She opened her arms for Bobby to run into them. ‘How's my favourite boy?'

Helen took the jug and set it down on the deep windowsill, where Peggy had left a bowl, two facecloths and neatly folded towels.

‘How did you sleep?' Babs asked, giving Bobby a cuddle before letting him go and watching him run off to find his toy bunny.

‘Well, actually. The mattress is comfortable.'

Babs frowned thoughtfully. ‘Something's wrong, though, I can tell.'

‘I'm still concerned about the three of you taking us on and the risk that goes with it, but I'm also worried about him.' She indicated Bobby with a tilt of her head. ‘Am I doing the right thing by taking him into hiding?'

Babs gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I can't see you have much choice. If you're not here, you'll have to hide somewhere else on the island or be deported, and surely you can't think that would be a better option.'

Helen shook her head. ‘I don't.' She pressed the heels of her hands against her tired eyes. ‘I just wish there was a third option.'

‘What, like the war had never happened?' Babs teased, giving her a sympathetic look.

‘Something like that, yes.'

‘If only that was the case.' Babs took Bunny from Bobby and pretended to hide it in her cardigan. He squealed and tugged open one side, laughing when Babs pulled the toy out and waved it in his face before handing it to him. ‘Anyway, Mum said you're both to come down to the kitchen and eat something. I think she's worried they'll come searching for you both sometime today and wants to be certain you've eaten.'

‘That's kind of her.'

‘I'll leave you both to get dressed.'

Helen watched her friend leave, closing the attic door behind her. ‘Come along, poppet. Let's get you ready for breakfast.'

* * *

Peggy poured Helen a cup of weak tea and placed a couple of toasted bread soldiers for Bobby to eat on the table in front of where he was sitting on Ida's lap. ‘I was thinking we need to set up an area for you both to hide in when you're in the attic,' Peggy said.

‘A hiding place within their hiding place?' Babs said in between sips of her tea. ‘Is that necessary?'

‘I agree with Peggy,' Ida said, handing Bobby the next piece of toast. ‘We can't be too careful.'

Peggy continued, ‘I thought we could block off part of the eaves on one side and make a small section at one end into a cubby hole for the pair of you to go if any soldiers do go up there searching for you. That might work.'

Helen tried to picture what she meant. ‘But who will make it? I don't have any carpentry skills.'

‘I'm sure I could, with help,' Peggy said, ‘and we have enough pieces of wood and boarding stacked up there to be able to do it. What do you think?'

Helen shrugged. ‘If you think it's necessary, then I'm happy to go along with it.'

‘It only needs to be somewhere small that you two can fit into. We can arrange the room so that it won't be obvious when they do come.'

‘Don't you mean if they come?' Babs asked.

‘No, it'll be when,' Peggy said with an assurance that frightened Helen. ‘Don't think we won't be the first place they look, Babs. I've had enough dealings with these men to know they are clever, thorough and above all determined. We will need to be prepared for any eventuality and must never underestimate them. I have had an idea what to do and I'll get started as soon as we finish eating.'

‘I'll help you,' Helen said, wanting everything ready as soon as possible. She hated small spaces but if it meant keeping Bobby safe then she would hide wherever Peggy thought best. ‘I'm going to need to clear everything away each morning too, just in case they do come unexpectedly, and we don't have time to make the room look uninhabited.'

Peggy gave her a reassuring smile. ‘I can see I've frightened you and I don't mean to. I promise we'll make a good job of it. I have no intention of letting them find you.'

If only that was all it took, Helen thought, sipping her tea and struggling to swallow.