Page 101 of The Last Library of Paris

‘We’ll keep you in the embassy overnight and then you’ll be taken back to London tomorrow. The flights are leaving now the weather has cleared, and I’ll pull strings to get you out as soon as possible,’ Digby said. ‘It’ll be up to MI5 how they deal with you. But I rather hope that whatever they decide leads you to feel the awful fear the people you have betrayed will be feeling.’

Digby nodded to the officers. ‘Take him to the car,’ he said.

The men walked Parrish to the door of the bar. Lara, Miguel and I watched him go, but he didn’t glance in our direction. I was glad.

The door banged shut behind them and Digby straightened his hat. ‘It’s astonishing,’ he said. ‘You’d think the threats come from the people high up, the ones with the knowledge and the power, who can be tempted over to the other side. But the really dangerous people are the ones like Parrish. Just enough knowledge and resentment to cause real damage.’

Archie was standing to one side. Now he cleared his throat. ‘I feel responsible,’ he began. ‘I knew Parrish was selling information, but I underestimated how dangerous he was. I should have got him back to London before he could do so much damage.’

Digby shook his head. ‘I suspect he’d have got up to no good in London too,’ he said. ‘The damage is done, Valentine. But it’s up to you to fix it.’

‘Of course,’ Archie said, sounding uncharacteristically subdued.

I swallowed. My throat was dry and when I spoke my voice was cracked. ‘Digby?’ I said. ‘Parrish had a problem with me, personally. I think me losing my temper with him made everything worse.’ I glanced at Lara who was gazing at me sympathetically. ‘He made a pass at me and I turned him down.’

‘He tried to force himself on you,’ said Lara. ‘You had to fight him off.’

‘Well, yes,’ I said, oddly embarrassed even though I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. ‘I think I humiliated him and he lashed out in the worst way.’

Digby looked at me. ‘Parrish is the sort of man who is intimidated by a clever woman. Or a brave woman. Or a strong woman,’ he said. ‘You, Cassandra, are all three.’

My breath caught in my throat, and I pinched my lips together.

‘Lara, we’ll leave you and Miguel to clear up if that’s all right,’ said Digby. ‘We’ll compensate you for the loss of takings due to you closing early.’

‘Thank you,’ said Lara. Miguel nodded.

‘Cassandra, I need to get Parrish back to the embassy.’ Digby looked at me with what seemed to be genuine concern. ‘I think you should go home.’

I nodded, unable to speak.

‘I’ll see her home,’ said Archie.

‘Good man.’ Digby slapped him on the shoulder. ‘We’ll let the dust settle overnight and catch up in the morning, yes?’

I found my voice, finally. ‘Digby, what about Frances Reed?’ I said. ‘Can we warn her?’

‘I’ll get hold of our chap in Paris,’ Digby said, as though getting in touch with a Nazi double agent was the easiest thing in the world. ‘We’ll make sure she’s safe.’

Slightly reassured, I nodded.

‘Until tomorrow then,’ said Digby. He pulled his hat down to shade his face and went out of the door.

We all looked at one another.

‘Come on, Cassie,’ said Archie. ‘I’ll walk you home.’

‘Will you be all right?’ I asked Lara. She reached out and squeezed my fingers quickly.

‘We’re fine, aren’t we, Migi?’

Miguel nodded.

I turned to Archie. ‘Let’s go.’

Together we left the bar. It was getting dark already. All the drama had taken more time than I’d realised.

In the street, Archie paused. I looked at him, questioningly.