successful today, her life could be about to change forever.
• • •
“So, Mrs. Carruthers, we meet again. Please, sit down.”
Connie read that Mr. Potter was visibly more relaxed with her today. For a start, he smiled at her.
“I am sure, Mrs. Carruthers, that you may by now have an idea of why you are here.”
“Yes. I believe you’re thinking I may be suitable for some form of work in France?”
“Correct. You will have heard of F Section and the Special Operations Executive through your work at MI5?”
“Files have passed through my hands, yes. But only to vet the girls concerned.”
“As we have vetted you in the past few days,” said Mr. Potter. “And nothing of concern has emerged. We now believe that you are suitable to become one of our band of SOE agents. However, Mrs. Carruthers, so far we have skirted around the gravity of not only the trust that we in Britain and France would place in you, but also the very real threat of death.” Mr. Potter’s face was serious. “How do you feel about that?”
Connie, already aware of what was going to be asked of her, had suffered a week of sleepless nights pondering this very thought and her response to it. “Mr. Potter, I believe passionately in the cause the Allies are fighting for. And I would do my best to never let you down. However, I also understand that I have not, so far in my life, been tested sufficiently to answer that question. I’m twenty-five years of age, with no experience in such matters, and I have a lot to learn about both myself and life.”
“I appreciate your thoughtful personal appraisal, Mrs. Carruthers, but I wish to reassure you now that your inexperience presents no problem. Most of the women we employ in this highly sensitive role have no more experience than you. Currently, we have a shop assistant, an actress, a wife and mother, and a hotel receptionist. On a positive note, we will do all we can to help and support you before you leave. You will be sent on an intensive training course, which will equip you as far as possible to handle the many dangerous situations you may find yourself in. And I can assure you, Mrs. Carruthers, at the end of that process, both you and the heads of SOE will know whether you are capable of carrying out the tasks you will be set. So, I must ask youagain now, are you prepared to take up a role which may subsequently lead to your death?”
Connie stared straight back at him. “I am.”
“Excellent, then that is settled. As you are employed at MI5, you have already signed the Official Secrets Act, so I need not trouble you further. You will be hearing from F Section directly in the next few days. Congratulations, Mrs. Carruthers.” Mr. Potter stood up and this time walked around the table to shake her hand, then led her to the door. “Both Britain and France are grateful for any sacrifices you might make.”
“Thank you, Mr. Potter. May I ask—”
“No more questions, Mrs. Carruthers. All you’ll need to know will be answered shortly. It goes without saying that our meetings here and your future are to remain of the utmost secrecy.”
“Yes.”
“Good luck, Mrs. Carruthers.” Mr. Potter shook her hand again and opened the door for her.
“Thank you.”
• • •
Arriving at the office the following morning, it was clear that Miss Cavendish, her boss, had already been informed of her departure.
“I hear you’re moving to pastures new,” she said, her harassed eyes managing the ghost of a smile when Connie came into her office. “Here.” Miss Cavendish handed her an envelope. “You’re to report to that address tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Thank you for your commitment here. I’ll be sorry to lose you.”
“And I’ll be sorry to go.”
“I’m sure you will cope with whatever lies ahead of you, Mrs. Carruthers.”
“I’ll do my best.” Connie replied.
“Jolly good. Don’t let me down.” Miss Cavendish added as Connie walked toward
• • •
“So, Mrs. Carruthers, we meet again. Please, sit down.”
Connie read that Mr. Potter was visibly more relaxed with her today. For a start, he smiled at her.
“I am sure, Mrs. Carruthers, that you may by now have an idea of why you are here.”
“Yes. I believe you’re thinking I may be suitable for some form of work in France?”
“Correct. You will have heard of F Section and the Special Operations Executive through your work at MI5?”
“Files have passed through my hands, yes. But only to vet the girls concerned.”
“As we have vetted you in the past few days,” said Mr. Potter. “And nothing of concern has emerged. We now believe that you are suitable to become one of our band of SOE agents. However, Mrs. Carruthers, so far we have skirted around the gravity of not only the trust that we in Britain and France would place in you, but also the very real threat of death.” Mr. Potter’s face was serious. “How do you feel about that?”
Connie, already aware of what was going to be asked of her, had suffered a week of sleepless nights pondering this very thought and her response to it. “Mr. Potter, I believe passionately in the cause the Allies are fighting for. And I would do my best to never let you down. However, I also understand that I have not, so far in my life, been tested sufficiently to answer that question. I’m twenty-five years of age, with no experience in such matters, and I have a lot to learn about both myself and life.”
“I appreciate your thoughtful personal appraisal, Mrs. Carruthers, but I wish to reassure you now that your inexperience presents no problem. Most of the women we employ in this highly sensitive role have no more experience than you. Currently, we have a shop assistant, an actress, a wife and mother, and a hotel receptionist. On a positive note, we will do all we can to help and support you before you leave. You will be sent on an intensive training course, which will equip you as far as possible to handle the many dangerous situations you may find yourself in. And I can assure you, Mrs. Carruthers, at the end of that process, both you and the heads of SOE will know whether you are capable of carrying out the tasks you will be set. So, I must ask youagain now, are you prepared to take up a role which may subsequently lead to your death?”
Connie stared straight back at him. “I am.”
“Excellent, then that is settled. As you are employed at MI5, you have already signed the Official Secrets Act, so I need not trouble you further. You will be hearing from F Section directly in the next few days. Congratulations, Mrs. Carruthers.” Mr. Potter stood up and this time walked around the table to shake her hand, then led her to the door. “Both Britain and France are grateful for any sacrifices you might make.”
“Thank you, Mr. Potter. May I ask—”
“No more questions, Mrs. Carruthers. All you’ll need to know will be answered shortly. It goes without saying that our meetings here and your future are to remain of the utmost secrecy.”
“Yes.”
“Good luck, Mrs. Carruthers.” Mr. Potter shook her hand again and opened the door for her.
“Thank you.”
• • •
Arriving at the office the following morning, it was clear that Miss Cavendish, her boss, had already been informed of her departure.
“I hear you’re moving to pastures new,” she said, her harassed eyes managing the ghost of a smile when Connie came into her office. “Here.” Miss Cavendish handed her an envelope. “You’re to report to that address tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Thank you for your commitment here. I’ll be sorry to lose you.”
“And I’ll be sorry to go.”
“I’m sure you will cope with whatever lies ahead of you, Mrs. Carruthers.”
“I’ll do my best.” Connie replied.
“Jolly good. Don’t let me down.” Miss Cavendish added as Connie walked toward
Similar Books
