Nothing indicated that the gendarmes knew who they really were, or why they were here. The least nervous of the gendarmes told Marjie and Sibbie that they would no longer be needed, and that it was thought the German who had died must have been a friend of Madame’s. That many romantic liaisons between the Germans and French women were conducted in secret. ‘There seems no other cause than that they must have been found out, and that their deaths were probably due to reprisals by criminal factions who are traitors to the government.’

To Sibbie and Marjie, this cover-up story was one they were very grateful for and showed that they weren’t under any suspicion. When the gendarmes told them they were free to go, they were asked if they had any relatives they could go to. They told their story.

Marjie was proud of Sibbie’s composure, and grateful for it, as she felt that if she had to talk, she’d be sick. ‘Our great-aunt lives in Hérault; we can catch the train to Béziers in the morning and then cycle the rest of the way.’

The neighbour helped, by saying the girls could stay on her sofas until morning. ‘We will take care of them.’

The gendarmes seemed pleased with this arrangement and left.

The next morning Sibbie and Marjie were waved on past the checkpoint and had no problem with the gendarmes on the train. It was obvious that word had been passed to let them make their way without hindrance.

They hadn’t discussed anything to do with the incident, or what their next move was, for fear of being overheard, but now, having reached Hérault and walked some way into the forest, they sat on a fallen tree in an open brush area and discussed what to do next. They both agreed they should make contact with the Resistance.

Practised at building their radio, contact was soon made with HQ, using the code they’d been given for an emergency. Telling HQ what had happened and giving their current position, they waited.

Pushing their bikes had exhausted them. ‘Sibbie, we’re not too far away now; once we go through this next clump of trees, we will hit the road, and crossing that will put us into the forest where Paulo and Arnie are hiding. But we’re safe here, so let’s rest while we await instructions.’

They lay down, head-to-head on the smooth tree trunk, with the transmitter between them.

Sibbie shivered. ‘It’s so cold. I wish we could lie closer to each other for warmth.’

‘There is nowhere – it’s rough, rocky terrain in these clearings in the forest. But if we go into the trees, where we might find a softer bed, our radio won’t work.’