“I, too, was betrayed,” he said. “But I am hopeful that I shall be released when my family learns of my plight. My father is unfortunately no longer in favour, but my father-in-law has prospered and has learned to work with the Germans. We’ll just have to see how fond he is of his only son-in-law.”

“No talking!” A guard was striding in our direction, waving a gun in menacing fashion. “Move away from the fence, both of you.” He reached Leo. “This is no time to flirt with young women.”

“I am not flirting,” Leo said. “This woman is the love of my life, the mother of my child. Do you begrudge us a few minutes together when we are doing no harm?”

There is one thing that Italians prize, and that is family. I saw his expression soften.

“You have a bambino?” he asked me.

I nodded. “His name is Angelo. He’s almost four.”

“Very well,” the guard said. “When I am on duty, you can meet behind that guard tower in the corner. But only when I am on duty, understand?”

“Thank you,” I said.

“You’re a good fellow,” Leo added. “Too good for a position like this.”

“I had to feed the family. They were starving,” he said. “We have a farm. The Germans took away all our livestock and our olive oil. Cursed Germans.” And he spat. Then he looked around. “Only don’t tell anyone I said that.”

We had an ally. We met several more times, then Leo came to the fence with an excited smile on his face. “Here, take this,” he said. He handed me an envelope.

“What is it? A love letter?”

“No. It’s your ticket to freedom. My father-in-law has come through. It is a pass ordering my release. I’m giving it to you.”

“Don’t be silly,” I said. “I can’t take your pass, even if I could. Presumably it’s in your name.”

“No. It says the bearer . You are now the bearer. Show it to the camp commander, and you’ll be out of here.”

“But what about you? I’m not leaving you behind.”

“You won’t. I’ve already written to my father-in-law saying that a spiteful guard ripped up the first pass, so could he send another in a hurry. I should be out by the end of the week.”

I stared down at the envelope in my hand.

“Go on,” he said. “Go now. You’ll have time to make it to Stresa by nightfall, and then you’ll negotiate for a boat—if they give you your possessions back, which they are supposed to do. My father-in-law’s name is Antongiovani, in case you need to use it. A good friend of German high command in Italy.”

“Leo.” Still I hesitated. “I can’t leave you.”