Vera's Valour Read Online Free PDF Page B

starved and those fried onions smell delicious.”
    Grinning at each other Vera and Geoff parted.
    Vera said, “Why don’t you put some tables and chairs out in the courtyard then they’ll be plenty of room for everyone to sit down and enjoy their meal in the fresh air.”
    It was a merry party of men and women, as well as some children that appeared, and who sat around the long table as Vera served the portions of chicken casserole to the hungry people.
    That was her usual job: to feed the hungry with nutritious meals. And very satisfying it was for her too to see them all tucking in. They appreciated her effort to make the meal tasty, and she had even thought to make a bowl of stewed apple with some small biscuits to go with it too as a dessert.
    At the end of the meal, Vera received many compliments. “You’re a wonderful cook, Mrs Parkington.”
    “That was the best meal I’ve ever had.”
    “Geoff’s a lucky man to have you as a wife.”
    And the French children came up to her to say solemnly, “ Merci, madam ,” and kissed her rosy cheek.
    “Whew,” exclaimed Vera, who’d also benefited from the meal, because she hadn’t had one for some time. “I’m glad they all liked the food. Now for the washing up, Geoff.” Because just as the diners had come from nowhere – they had melted away.
    Piles of dirty plates, bowls, knives and forks and empty wine glasses needed to be washed and put away. “You ought to feel proud of yourself,” remarked Geoff, giving her a hand with the chore, “you cooked the meal superbly well.”
    “Thank you,” Vera replied as she washed a pan, “I feel pleased you think my journey here has been worthwhile.”
    “I didn’t say that. I wish you hadn’t come. It is far to dangerous here, and you being here is a constant worry for me.”
    Vera flared up. “I’m a worry to you! What do you think you are for me? I worry all the time about what you are doing - ”
    “I have no choice. I’m in the army and I am doing my duty. You are not. You need not have come.”
    Vera turned to shout at him, “How would you have got that information you needed if I hadn’t come, eh?”
    “I would have managed I expect.”
    Vera was now upset and furious with him. “Well, that’s a fine thing to say. You could have managed without the message I brought you. I dare say you could manage without me too. Well then, go and get yourself killed – I don’t care!”
    He threw down the tea towel he was holding and stamped out of the kitchen.
    Vera stood horrified.
    What had she said to him in anger?
    It wasn’t true – just the opposite, she did care. She cared very much what happened to him.
    Tidying away the kitchen things, she felt even more remorseful. Whatever had got into her?
    * * *
    The burden of guilt lay on her for days because he avoided her. She didn’t see him at all. Over and over again she thought about her temper tantrum and why it had happened. She had hours alone to think about it - which was dreadful. Of course she was under stress, trying to make the best of a dangerous situation she was in. Hoping to find a way to get back to England, but realising she had to lay low and not be captured.
    She thought of writing a note for Geoff – but would it ever get to him? He seemed to have vanished.
    But she had said she didn’t want him.
    The only way she could cope with her distress, and feel that her presence there was of use, was to continue cooking a midday meal for everyone who came for it. And a good many people turned up.
    Some brought some food – a little meat, or flour or olives and vegetables – whatever they had – and Vera was adept at making the best of what she was given and preparing a tasty dish for them all. They all seemed to enjoy what she cooked. And they praised her. Normally she would have felt elated – but as Geoff wasn’t there she felt distraught. He needed a good meal and he was avoiding not only eating with them all – he was avoiding