Hari stood with James outside Island Farm Prison and looked at his face, dark with anger, in dismay. ‘How many of them have been caught?’
‘A few.’ He stared at her. ‘You seem very interested, sure you didn’t have anything to do with it all, Miss Jones?’
‘How could I?’ She stared at him aghast, she couldn’t lose his trust, not now, when she needed to know where Michael was. ‘I warned you they were talking about a tunnel didn’t I?’ she said defensively.
‘Aye, so you did Hari, I’m sorry, merchi, that was a daft idea of mine but you’re up at the camp so much, girl, I wonder what’s behind it all. I don’t flatter myself it’s my charm.’
Hari thought quickly. ‘But James, you know I’m writing a report about the prison—’ she paused—‘it’s all good, mind, you’ve treated the prisoners with every respect, you’ve looked after them very well indeed.’
He seemed mollified. ‘Aye, too bloody well, pardon my language, we were all so sure they wouldn’t run back to the war we got too easy with them.’
Hari kissed James’s cheek. ‘You’re a good pal, James,’ she said gently, ‘I’m sure they’ll all get caught, they can’t get out of the country, can they?’
‘I told you one of the blighters got all the way to Birmingham. They’re bringing him back as we speak.’
‘Oh, do you know his name?’
‘If I did I couldn’t tell you, miss.’ James’s voice was hard. ‘By the way, I didn’t have a good look at your papers, did I?’
‘It’s top secret, James, I work for the government.’
He looked dubious.
Hari sighed. ‘All I can say is I work at the munitions here in Bridgend but it’s special work. I used to work for Colonel Edwards until he died.’
James’s face cleared. ‘Everyone has heard of the old man,’ he said respectfully. ‘But why are you watching Island Farm Prison Camp? If it was because of me you’d go out with me.’
Hari hesitated. ‘There’s someone special here, someone who might not be the true German he seems to be.’
‘His name?’
‘If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you.’ She imitated his tone and he smiled.
‘All right, Hari, I’ll believe you.’ He came a little closer. ‘But you do like me, just a bit, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do James, I wouldn’t spend so much time talking to you if I didn’t—I’d just march in here and get on with my job.’
He touched her hair. ‘So lovely, cariad.’
Hari smiled and after a moment moved away. ‘Look, James, I’d better get back to work.’
‘Euler,’ he said suddenly, ‘the man we caught at Birmingham, his name is Michael Euler.’
Hari’s heart lifted. ‘Is he unhurt?’
‘Aye, except for the injuries he got when he crashed, some leg wounds and minor burns, lucky bas—. Sorry, Hari.’
‘I can tell you this, James,’ Hari said, suddenly happy, ‘we’re going to win this war. I can’t tell you how I know but I do, all right?’
He grinned. ‘Come back tomorrow, I’ll see if you can interview this man Euler.’
‘Really, you can do that, James?’
‘I’ll do my best for you, Hari fach.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow then James and thanks for all your help, you certainly make my life easier.’
Hari rode home on the bus and then caught the train—missing Violet’s happy chatter. She was worried about Violet. Since she’d married George and moved out to Carmarthen she seemed more subdued, not her usual happy self and, when she visited Swansea, she looked around with nostalgia, clearly wishing she was back home.
‘Vi—’ Hari hugged her friend’s arm—‘if you don’t like the country, ask George to bring you back to town.’
‘We’ve moved into his mam’s home, that’s what I don’t like,’ Vi said, ‘but George is doing the house up, he hopes to sell the place and buy a house of our own.’ She brightened. ‘At least I’ve got a man I love—I’m better off than most girls—and we’ll make the move soon, I’m sure.’ But there was a glint of tears in her eyes and Hari promised herself she’d have a word with George as soon as the opportunity arose.