There was no cover story or any other information. ‘I’m not sure about this, Marjie. I know Uncle Arnie is the coordinator, and that A is his code-name, but we were told to await a message from HQ and that it would be transmitted.’

‘Should we check this out with them? I know our instructions are that we retain radio silence until the order is given, but what if this is a trap?’

After a moment Marjie came up with the plan to go to the assigned area, but to stay out of sight until they could see who arrived to pick them up. She knew most of the members of the Maquis.

‘What if it’s someone we don’t know, but who is still genuine?’

‘Then we don’t go, Sibbie, as we have no way of knowing they are genuine. Like you, I have serious doubts. I mean, would Uncle Arnie put us in such a position? He must know what our orders are.’

‘If this is fake, it means that our cover is blown. But how? No one has questioned our status. They’ve all accepted Madame Bachelet’s story.’

‘I did have one person question me – a man. I took a delivery to a house in rue Etienne Gaillard. A man opened the door and seemed genuine in his enquiry. He said, “You’re new – where are you from?” I gave him our cover story and he just said, “You were lucky to get out of Paris, but I’m glad, as I don’t like having to fetch my own grocery order from the shop. It has been a while since the delivery boys were taken for forced labour.”’

‘Oh, you never said. What did you reply?’

‘I didn’t. I told him the amount of his bill, took his money and left.’

‘Well, it doesn’t sound suspicious. I shouldn’t worry, Marjie.’

‘No – it could have been nothing. We’ll go along with our plan and see what happens.’

Madame showed her surprise when they told her they were to leave, and didn’t know how long for. ‘But what am I to say to people? I was told you would be working from here at all times. If that had changed, I would be informed and given another cover story.’

This further alarmed Marjie. ‘Sibbie, I don’t think we should go. If this is a trap, then we will have blown our cover. I think we should stay until we receive a transmission.’