It had taken me a long time but I had finally learned what manner of man he is. A man of blind devotion to his country. I won’t say what manner of man André was because I choose to think of him as alive. Still on the prowl out there. Of course I know I could be mistaken. But he is still a fundamental part of my family, and I hold on to that.

I continued to bang in nails contentedly and looked out through the grimy window at the first clouds bunched on the horizon, moody and gold-tipped. Dark political clouds were rolling from the east too that would test France to the limit, but I had faith in my country. In my country and in my fellow countrymen and women.

Traitors like Clarisse will not succeed in dragging France into servitude under the yoke of Communism, because we will root them out, every last one of them. I hit the shiny head of the nail with my hammer, driving it into place, just as we will drive people like Clarisse into the place they deserve.

I was wrong when I thought I could be a part of that world, but it took a person like Léon to show me that a world of lies and secrets and deceit is not a world I want to be a part of. So I work on the farm now. I have great ideas for it and sit at night with Léon drawing up plans and schemes that Papa will agree to. The world is changing and we will be changing with it.

And when André comes, the hut will be ready.

Acknowledgements

A book is a complex animal and it takes a complex process, which involves many very clever people, for it to end up looking so smart and sassy on a bookshelf. I am always in awe of the wondrous and dedicated team at Simon & Schuster UK who work such miracles for me and my book. Thank you a million times over to each and every one of you.

I am profoundly grateful to my superb editor Jo Dickinson for her wisdom and insight and for her calmness when I am in urgent need of it. Thank you, Jo, for everything you do. It is a privilege to work with you, the best of the best.

Huge thanks also to my awesome agent Teresa Chris for all the support and kindness, and yes, for all the whip-cracking when required too. You help make my job a joy.

I am greatly indebted to Lieutenant Scott Dyson of the RCN for being a constant source of information concerning all things military and for his generosity in giving time and expertise. However much research info I gleaned from military books, it was invaluable to have a military voice at my side to guide me away from pitfalls. Any errors are definitely mine, not his.