The Oslo Affair (Shadows of War, #2) by CW Browning (read after .txt) 📗

sound of footsteps following her down a dark, city street as she made her way back to her lodgings.

Evelyn stared out over the frost covered lawns. Was she even strong enough to make it through this war? She had committed herself to her country, and thousands of young men and women were counting on her to bring back information that would help them defeat the enemy. Hundreds of pilots like Rob and Miles were depending on advance warning of attack to give them an edge in the inevitable air battle that would precede any invasion attempt by Hitler. They may not know it, but the intelligence she gathered could save their lives.

And it could make her forfeit hers if she was ever caught. And, if they failed and England lost this war, she would be one of the first ones executed by the Germans.

“Good morning,” a voice said behind her and Evelyn turned in surprise to watch Miles step out onto the terrace.

“Good morning!”

“You look surprised to see me,” he said with a grin, crossing the flagged stones towards her with a steaming cup of tea in his hands.

“I suppose I thought you’d sleep the morning away like Robbie,” she said with a sheepish laugh. “God knows you deserve to.”

“The training isn’t as stressful as you think,” he said with a shrug, joining her at the balustrade. “We’re used to it now. And I’ve always been an early riser.”

“So have I.” She smiled at him. “Happy Christmas.”

He looked down at her and smiled warmly, his eyes creasing at the edges and his green eyes glinting in the sunlight.

“Happy Christmas.”

They were quiet, sipping their tea and looking out over the morning in companionable silence.

“It hardly seems possible that it’s Christmas already,” he said suddenly. “I feel as though it was just yesterday that I crashed your dinner with Rob at the Savoy.”

Evelyn thought over the two months since that night and marveled herself at how quickly the time had gone by. It seemed like just yesterday that she was fleeing Herr Renner in Sweden, yet it had been over a month since she’d returned to England.

“And are you glad you crashed dinner?” she asked, glancing up at him with a grin.

His eyes met hers. “Every day.”

She laughed and his eyes dropped to the scarf tied carelessly around her throat. The sunlight caught a silver piece of metal in its folds and his lips curved into a smile.

“I see you got my present.”

Evelyn lifted her hand to touch the small brooch and smiled. The silver had been twisted into a reproduction of a Spitfire, creating a unique and charming piece of jewelry.

“I did, and I believe I wrote a very nice thank you letter at the time,” she said.

Miles grinned. “So you did. An air sergeant at the base makes those for all the pilot’s girls. He’s very talented. He did an exceptionally nice job on that one.”

“Yes, he did. It’s lovely.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Their eyes met and Evelyn felt something stir deep inside her, a feeling of contentment. She dropped her eyes away from his in consternation and swallowed the last bit of tea left in her cup.

“I think I’m off for a walk,” she said, turning towards the house with her empty cup.

“A walk?” he repeated, gulping down the last of his tea and following.

“Yes. There’s nothing better than a nice, brisk walk in the morning to start the day.”

Miles nodded wisely, his eyes twinkling.

“You sound just like my nanny when I was a boy. Only her walks consisted of near hikes around the countryside until I thought I should die.”

Evelyn laughed. “I don’t hike.”

“In that case, then I think I’ll join you,” he said as they went through the parlor. “If you don’t mind, of course.”

“I’d like that.”

They crossed the hall and left their cups in the dining room where breakfast would be set out, then went out the front door, walking in silence until they reached the west meadow. Finally, Evelyn glanced at Miles.

“How’s the Polish coming along?”

He burst out laughing. “HQ gave up on that venture, thank God. It really was a bit much.”

“I wouldn’t have known Swedish from Polish,” she admitted. “I’m surprised you did.”

He looked at her, surprised. “I thought you were a linguistic prodigy.” He grinned when she looked surprised. “Rob told me. He said you speak just about every language there is.”

“That’s a gross exaggeration. I only speak a handful, and Polish and Swedish are not among them.”

“What do you speak then?”

“Oh, the usual. French, Italian, German...some Russian.”

He choked. “The usual? Russian is usual?”

She twinkled up at him. “No. That was just for fun.”

“Oh, of course. For fun.” He was laughing at her, and she couldn’t help laughing with him. “But you don’t know Swedish from Polish?”

“Well, since you’re making such a point of it, I’ll learn both just to make you happy.”

He laughed. “It doesn’t make a bit of difference to me,” he told her. “I think you’re fascinating as you are. And I, happily, do know some Swedish, so I can translate for you should the need ever arise.”

Evelyn swallowed. “I’ll remember that,” she said in a choked voice. “If you’re no longer being made to learn Swedish, whatever do you do to keep busy when you’re not flying?”

“Oh, we’re learning aircraft recognition now. Too many pilots can’t tell the difference between ours and theirs.”

“And you?”

“Of course I can tell the difference,” he retorted. “But it’s downright depressing how many of our pilots will be shooting down Blenheims and Hurricanes if they don’t crack down and learn.”

They walked in silence for a moment, then Evelyn sighed.

“It’s funny how this Phony War is acting to our advantage,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s giving us time to train and prepare. Perhaps it’s Hitler’s biggest mistake yet.”

“Hitler’s biggest mistake was invading Poland,” Miles said. “He’s got to be barmy to think he can take on Britain and France like this.”

Evelyn frowned thoughtfully. “I’m not dismissing him that quickly. He wouldn’t have done it if