The Cyclist by Fredrik Nath Read Free Book Online

them?’
    ‘No he didn’t mention them at all. He came with Monique.’
    ‘She’s still here?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘I thought he was leaving her in Beynac with Maricelle.’
    ‘He decided it wouldn’t be safe after what you told him. He brought her here.’
    ‘Well, when he comes back I can give him the letters. They may escape after all.’
    ‘He isn’t escaping. He’s gone into hiding. He said something about joining a partisan group.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘He said he has some contacts and he wanted to fight for his country and his life.’
    ‘Fight? Has he gone mad? What about Monique? He can’t just leave her here. All the Jews have to...’
    ‘I offered. I said we would take her in and hide her.’
    ‘You did what?’
    She was silent. She bit her lip.
    Auguste sat down.
    ‘Listen to them,’ he said. ‘Does it sound like something you can hide?’
    The sound of laughter, pure, clear, childish laughter, drifted down the stairs. The sound of their feet provoked nothing but fear in Auguste.
    ‘What have you done? I’m police. I have to arrange the internment. I cannot do this.’
    ‘I gave my word. You’ve known that child since she was born. You’ve seen her almost every day of her life and now you think we can turn her over to an internment camp? What is happening to you Auguste?’
    ‘I...’
    A cataclysmic conflict raged within him. His whole life, his hopes, his fears twisted and turned within him. He thumped the tabletop with his fist. He took his head in his hands leaning on his elbows on the table. He could not shut out the reality and gravity of what was happening to him. He felt his life was in tatters.
    ‘If you are the kind of man who would do that, then you are not a man I want to live with.’
    ‘Odette. You will be risking all our lives with this.’
    ‘What are our lives worth if we hand over a child alone to an internment camp. Pierre is certain the Germans plan to annihilate the Jews. Would you send Monique to her death to save your own life?’
    ‘But it’s impossible.’
    ‘No one will question you. This is perhaps the only safe place in Bergerac for that little girl. She stays.’
    ‘And if the SD come? Can we hide her? It may be for years? It will be no life for her anyway.’
    ‘She stays. It is up to you whether you give me away with her or not.’
    ‘Don’t be stupid. I would never allow anything to happen to you or Zara.’
    ‘Or Monique.’
    He swallowed. She was stubborn, but it was her very intransigence he found convincing about her. He knew deep inside he had not the strength or perhaps weakness required to hand the girl over to his men.
    ‘My God, Odette. Think of the risk. One tiny mistake and all is lost.’
    ‘I will make no mistakes.’
    ‘If anyone comes, she will have to hide in the wood. I can make a shelter, hidden, safe,’ Auguste said.
    ‘Then do it. Oh Auguste, thank you.’
    She crossed the room to stand beside him. He stood up, strong arms proffered and they held on to each other for a long moment. Auguste realised he was shaking. She looked up at him.
    ‘You will be doing a great thing. It is noble. Protecting a child.’
    ‘No, not noble. It is you who does this. I am merely weak and complicit.’
    ‘We will be strong, because we are together,’ she said, looking up at him.
    ‘What can I do with the letters of transit? They won’t be needed now.’
    ‘If you can get two more we can all get away.’
    ‘I thought Brunner was suspicious when I asked him to sign. If I now ask for two more he will know.’
    ‘I wasn’t serious.’
    ‘Does Monique know she is staying with us?’
    ‘Yes, Pierre told her. He even told her why she is in danger. She is such a sensible child and she shows no distress. I suppose it will come later.’
    ‘She perhaps measures it against Murielle’s death. For a child, nothing could have been worse.’
    ‘Perhaps. We should eat now.’
    ‘I can’t. I have to go out.’
    ‘Out?’
    ‘Yes, I’m dining with two