Read No Regrets: A Novel of Love and Lies in World War II England (The Thornton Trilogy Book 1) for Free Online Page A

weakness, he’d asked Anne to marry him. She’d immediately responded with genuinely thrilled acceptance. On that day, wedding plans seemed far, far away. She promised to wait for him, no matter how long it took and to write every day. It felt good to know he had a girl at home, whose letters would follow him into battle. She was still a child then – only seventeen years old.
     
    ***
     
    One of the girls who worked at Maison de Violette became Elise’s friend. Although they were from vastly different backgrounds, they bonded. Most of the others were nice to her, and only a few made her feel uneasy. There were two she didn’t like very much. She suspected it was jealousy on their part, because Madame Violette gave her free room and board. She didn’t have overt trouble with them and simply stayed out of their way. Her friend’s name was Giselle Dupris, also an escapee from German occupied France. Giselle, however, had already been a ‘working girl’ when she left France. Her parents were deceased and, unlike Elise, who had a brother to depend upon, Giselle had no one. Hence, she’d found a home in a Paris pleasure palace when only sixteen. Despite her occupation, she was a deeply spiritual person. She attended Mass daily and wore a lovely gold cross round her swan-like neck. Giselle had her own beliefs when it came to the way she earned an income and felt no shame.
    Both girls loved the countryside and were passionate animal-lovers. They each dreamed of a cottage by the sea, where they could surround themselves with shelves of books, and a garden filled with flowers. While Elise was privileged to have more education than Giselle, the latter was by no means unintelligent. On quiet days they could be found sitting side by side on the bench behind Maison de Violette, reading poetry, or discussing the meaning of bible passages. Elise’s faith had always been strong. However, after the shock she’d endured, her belief was shaken. Giselle helped her sort through many doubts.
    As their friendship progressed, Elise divulged the wretched details of her assault. Giselle said if she ever came face-to-face with one of the disgusting men who’d committed the crime, she’d neuter him. It was the first time Elise had laughed when speaking about the ordeal. Giselle longed to find a good man, who wouldn’t judge her poorly. At heart, she’d always wanted to be a wife and mother. Because of her striking appearance, if a person had met her in an upper-class environment, they’d never guess she earned her living in a disreputable way. She had long, dark hair and blue-green eyes. Her skin was like creamy porcelain, with cheeks the colour of baby-pink roses. Elise thought she resembled the English cinema actress Vivien Leigh, although her hair was darker. Occasionally Giselle would share her fantasies with Elise, admitting her greatest wish was to immigrate to America, abandon the life she’d lived since the age of sixteen, meet a respectable man and marry. She would be a virtuous and proper wife. Elise would smile, telling her friend that nothing was impossible.
    Elise’s baby was due at the end of February. Madame Violette treated her with the utmost kindness and made certain she followed all of the doctor’s orders. Arrangements were made for the child to be born in hospital, and Elise kept a small bag packed with all necessities, so she’d be fully prepared when the time came. She’d grown quite large and was uncomfortable, but made every effort not to complain. She was so grateful not to be facing childbirth alone. Even with support, she was still afraid and couldn’t imagine being a mother. Since making the decision to keep the baby, Elise had read everything she could find about child-rearing. It seemed like a difficult task. Not having a husband only made the prospect more frightening. It was important that she do it well. She also prayed the infant wouldn’t resemble its sire. She absolutely couldn’t use the