André nodded, then acted swiftly. By the time Gisele entered the camp everything appeared normal, even if their greeting didn’t hold the usual banter they exchanged with her. Gisele didn’t act as if she knew something was wrong, and probably took the atmosphere as normal in the circumstances, as her first question showed. ‘What happened, André? How did Raphael and Juan come to get killed? The whole village is in mourning. I wanted to come before now, but I was afraid to. I – I thought I might be being watched. There’s a large gendarme presence, and the villagers are very frightened. They asked me to see if the group can do anything?’

This alarmed Marjie. The village of Laurens lay within ten miles of them. ‘It was the night of my papa’s pick-up. Germans suddenly surrounded us. Sibbie and Paulo have been captured, Gisele.’

The colour drained from Gisele’s face. ‘No! But I – I . . . No! Not Paulo, no.’ Tears ran down her face. Marjie wanted to comfort her, but found she couldn’t move. Gisele had known Paulo all her life and had a special relationship with him. He’d been like a big brother to her. But then the thought came to Marjie that Monty had been even more than special to her. Gisele adored Monty and would do anything for him. What if he had approached her for information?

Dropping her bike, Gisele looked round at the unmoving faces. ‘There must have been a traitor, otherwise how did the Germans know? You all suspect me, don’t you?’

One or two of the Resistance group shuffled about, looking uncomfortable.

Gisele looked around her, her face betraying her fear.

‘Who else knows as much as you do, to be able to inform on us, Gisele?’

‘I wouldn’t, André, I . . . You all know me. Some of you since I was a child. You know I couldn’t tell the Germans.’ Gisele looked as though something had dawned on her.

‘Have you spoken to anyone, Gisele? I mean, unwittingly? Has anyone approached you?’

Gisele stared at Marjie. ‘I – I, oh God, Marjella, it’s . . . Oh, Marjella, I must speak with you.’

Marjie realized that Gisele, like herself, was protecting Monty. That she must have been tricked by him and was now desperate not to inform on the young man she loved. Oh, Monty. Monty, what have you done?

The mood became angry. ‘We trusted you, Gisele. All those men . . .’

‘Henrick, I . . . Please believe me, this isn’t my fault. I must speak with Marjie. Marjie, please!’

‘What can you tell Marjie that you can’t tell us?’

‘I must tell her first, André. Look, all of you: something has happened. It wasn’t my doing. I – I trusted someone you would all have trusted. Just give me a chance to tell Marjie first, please.’