Working in silence, they dismantled the radio and hid its components in their bikes – in the saddle and the hollow handlebars. Their coats they pushed into the ever-burning incinerator. Back in their room, they washed in ice-cold water and, with only the light from the moon shining through the window, as they dared not show any signs of being home, they made their way to Madame’s room, where they each donned a coat: Sibbie a long, plain grey coat that Madame wore on everyday errands, and Marjie her church-going coat, which was long, black and sported a fur collar.

‘Right, our story? Any ideas, Marjie?’

‘Yes, I’ve been mulling it over. We went to the dance and felt hot and stuffy, so as we weren’t expected back, we rode the long way by the river. When we found the house in darkness, we thought Madame had retired early. Not wanting to disturb her, we decided to come in the back way, as then we wouldn’t have to pass her bedroom door.’

‘Brilliant. And we can say that we will go to our great-aunt’s to stay.’

‘What if they want an address?’

Marjie thought for a moment. ‘We could give my old address. I doubt they would ever go and check up, as they would have no reason to. But we must get to Arnie and Papa quickly, to warn them about Madame’s son. He must have given his mother the information, when he was only supposed to have given her the arrangements for our pick-up.’

‘Oh God, Marjie. What if she has passed on information about us and that is why we have been allowed to travel around freely?’

‘It’s a possibility. We may be compromised. Arnie will seek that information from Jacques. We just have to get to them – come on, let the first step of our plan begin.’

Having a plan gave them confidence. Their screams brought neighbours out of their houses and a nearby patrol of gendarmes rushing to them. Acting distraught, the girls were taken to a neighbour’s house and were given hot cocoa to drink.

The gendarmes didn’t ask the questions they expected, but from what Marjie overheard them saying to each other, they seemed more concerned with covering their own backs. This made Marjie think that perhaps the gendarmes should have been watching the property while the German was in there with Madame, but had not been at their post.