Voices on the Wind by Evelyn Anthony Page B

our gallant Allies to resist – did they give you all that cock-and-bull at the interview? Yes, of course they did. Told you you mustn’t rush into it, oulined all the risks; not too many gory details, of course, and then said you were indispensable … but you must think it over very carefully and ring up some charming army chap – did he take you out to lunch by any chance? By God he did, I can see by your face! What a lot of shits they are!’
    â€˜I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Kate said slowly. ‘It happened, but not like you put it. I do think I’ve got an important job to do. And why do you help them, if you think it’s nonsense and they’re playing some kind of dirty trick on people like me?’
    He didn’t answer her directly. ‘It’s not the men I mind.’ He was speaking low, as if he was talking to himself. ‘Men can take care of themselves. You can train them to be tough, to kill. To die fighting, or take the L pill. But it’s madness for women! Criminal bloody madness to pretend they’re men and send them out there!’ He sat on the edge of the desk. ‘You’re very sure of yourself; you think it’s going to be a bit of an adventure. I saw your attitude the first morning when you stepped off the train. I said to myself then, Oh Christ! You wouldn’t listen to me, I suppose? All right, I haven’t been nice to you or fair, but just try and listen to me this once. You’re no coward, and you’re far from stupid. I’d say that in some ways you’re better equipped for this sort of thing than most of the girls I’ve trained here. But that doesn’t make you remotely suitable to go into Europe and take on the most highly trained and ruthless counter-intelligence service in the world. And that’s what this is all about. Not tramping over the moors or climbing rocks, or having Finch throw you about and getting a few bruises. I’m talking about the Gestapo!’ He grabbed another cigarette. Kate held the lighter for him. ‘Not to mention the Abwehr. They’re the army, but they’re not exactly gentlemen when it comes to women. You’re not listening, are you? No, of course you’re not. I’ve been a sod to you, and you wouldn’t take in anything I said.’
    For a moment they looked at each other. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time. There was no sarcasm, no arrogance about him; the professional mask was dropped and a man racked with some private anguish was pleading with her not to make it worse. She came and held out her hand to him.
    â€˜I have listened to you. And I understand the risks now. Maybe I didn’t before, but you’ve made them a lot clearer to me. I will think about it, I promise you. And I’m sorry you feel like this. It must be awful for you, doing this job.’
    He took her hand and turned it over, studying the palm for a moment.
    â€˜You have a long life-line, anyway,’ he said. ‘That’s something. My mother believed in it. One other thing.’ He let her hand go.
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Have a drink with me tonight. Because tomorrow, I’m going to make sure Finch gives you hell all over again.’
    Kate smiled. ‘I’ll meet you in the hall then. Half an hour? I’ll look forward to it.’
    She went out and he sighed. Then he clenched his fist and banged it down hard on the top of the desk. He had told himself he hated her before. Now that he liked her, it was even worse.
    The evening drink with Michaelson became a joke among the group. At the end of a gruelling day, nursing their bumps and bruises, cursing the insufferable Finch who was obviously enjoying their humiliation, they waited for Captain Michaelson to go up to Kate and single her out.
    â€˜He fancies you,’ Fred insisted. ‘I’ve heard the gossip from the lads in the ranks here. He never bought