‘That’s it, Leclerc: always on about our use of the subjunctive.’

Pearson patted him on the shoulder. ‘Don’t take it so personally, Tom. I told you he was clever, didn’t I?’

Chapter 10

Copenhagen, November–December 1942

My dearest Gerda,

The family and I were delighted to receive your letter, and we were especially thrilled to read Uncle Kristian’s news – it seems almost too good to be true! We’re so pleased Viggo finally managed to see him. It’s good to hear Uncle Kristian is visiting his cousin in Jutland again. I think Viggo should accompany him on that trip. It will do him the world of good to get into the countryside and I’m sure he has plenty of questions for his cousin! Maybe you’ll write again as soon as he and Uncle Kristian return from Jutland.

The garden is looking terrible at the moment. I find so little time for it these days, and in any case those fat black cats from next door are under the impression it belongs to them! Next week I hope to start painting the hall, although I have yet to decide on the colour.

With my fondest love,

Father

‘And that means I have to go with him to Berlin? Are you absolutely sure?’

‘Yes, I’m absolutely sure, Peter. I keep telling you: Uncle Kristian is Agent Horatio, you are Viggo, Jutland means Berlin and the cousin will be Horatio’s contact there, the Luftwaffe officer. “It seems almost too good to be true” will be London’s way of saying they want the intelligence Horatio brought back from Berlin corroborated. It doesn’t mean they don’t believe it, but they want to know more, which is understandable.’

Prince paced up and down, finding it hard to disguise his nervousness. He’d assumed his role would be confined to being Horatio’s contact in Copenhagen, which was dangerous enough. It hadn’t occurred to him he’d have to go to Berlin. He felt hot and sweaty and his mood wasn’t helped by Hanne looking tense and edgy herself.

‘And what’s all this about the garden and cats and painting the hall – what on earth does all that mean? Am I supposed to try and arrange tea with Hitler?’

‘It means nothing. The last paragraph of London’s communications are meant to be trivial domestic news; the idea is for the letters to appear as mundane as possible in the unlikely event someone comes across them. I’ll reply and confirm you’re going and I expect London will then send a briefing for you – what to ask Kurt, for example.’

Prince was struck by just how calm Agent Horatio was. He’d watched him come home from work, standing on the other side of the Nyhavn as the tall Dane strolled along the canalside and entered his apartment block at around a quarter to six.