Free Whispers of Love by Rosie Harris Page A

as you think necessary. You have transport?’
    â€˜Yes, sir, parked in the road outside the front of your house. We’ll take the prisoner and make him secure while you say goodbye to your daughter.’
    â€˜Can we offer you some refreshments before you start on your journey, sergeant? Tea and a plate of sandwiches, perhaps?’ Mabel offered.
    â€˜That would be most acceptable, ma’am, but I am afraid duty calls. Some other time perhaps.’
    â€˜Fine action on your part, my girl,’ her father applauded, his hand resting heavily on Christabel’s shoulder for a brief moment as they stood on the doorstep.
    â€˜I was only doing my duty,’ she murmured.
    The righteousness in her father’s voice lingered in her thoughts as they drove away. Aware that Karl Blume and the two military policemen were only separated from her and Dennis by a coarse canvas sheet, she remained silent as they drove back to headquarters.
    â€˜Wait here, this shouldn’t take long,’ Dennis ordered as he pulled up at the barracks, killed the engine, and jumped down.
    â€˜You mean you don’t really need me to give evidence?’
    â€˜I’ll let you know after we’ve booked the prisoner in,’ he told her as he walked round to the back of the truck.
    Christabel looked at Dennis questioningly when he rejoined her ten minutes later.
    â€˜Now that’s all finished with, I think we should celebrate,’ he said as he let in the clutch and roared out of the camp.
    â€˜Where are we going?’
    â€˜I know a restaurant where you can still getsteaks,’ he told her. ‘It’s a bit of a dive, noisy and smoky, but the grub is out of this world. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,’ He reached out and squeezed her hand. ‘We’ll start the evening there, OK?’
    The food was everything Dennis had promised it would be. He drank beer and she sipped at a glass of well-chilled white wine. The noise was overpowering and made conversation almost impossible.
    They danced once. Dennis held her in a bear-hug to try and protect her from being elbowed and jostled, but it was much too claustrophobic for enjoyment.
    Eventually, they left the restaurant. It was a pleasant early spring night and as they strolled back to where they had parked his army vehicle, Christabel felt as if she was suspended in time. The street was thronged with soldiers and civilians, men and women, all intent on finding enjoyment, but she felt as if she was not part of it, merely an onlooker.
    â€˜You don’t have to report back to Hilbury Hospital until tomorrow, do you?’ Dennis asked softly as their vehicle came in sight.
    â€˜No . . . not really.’ She looked at him, startled.
    â€˜Shall we find somewhere to stay the night?’
    Her breath caught in her throat and she wondered if she had heard aright.
    â€˜Together?’
    â€˜Why not? Come on, there’s a war on. Snatch a little happiness while you can. You’re notgoing to tell me you’re one of those shrinking violets, who leads a man on and then dumps him,’ he challenged. ‘It’s not as though we’ve only just met,’ he added persuasively when she made no answer.
    â€˜And I suppose you know of a quiet little hotel where they ask no questions?’ she said with a trace of cynicism.
    â€˜Of course I do!’ he whispered confidently as he pulled her into his arms.
    As his mouth was about to take possession of hers, Christabel placed her fingers over his lips and pulled away, shivering slightly. She liked Dennis Williams but she only wanted him as a friend. Memories of being in Philip’s arms and their passionate lovemaking the night before he’d sailed still dominated her thoughts and she shook her head.
    â€˜Perhaps I’d better take you back to Hilbury,’ he said in a hard voice as he released her and, squaring his shoulders, stepped back. He fished