financial report, showing how their money had grown. For most of them, it was the first time in their lives that they had actually possessed money to spend, and, for most of them, it was too much. They gathered around Jade, demanding their money, eager to spend it as quickly as possible, after all, Christmas was just around the corner.
With the money tied up, Jade had no way of making good from the liquid funds available.
Realising that there was no other way out of the dilemma, she withdrew her own funds, and made good the withdrawals. For someone like Jade, who had never had to worry about where her spending money was coming from, the experience was a sobering one. From then on, Jade determined that there would be stricter conditions placed upon the funds allocated to her.
Many of the girls thought the restrictions on the withdrawal of funds was a way of stealing their money, and a large number refused to bring their money to her, but there were enough with confidence in her to ensure that the business would not collapse. The girls who remained benefited greatly, even though they could only see the money on paper. These were the more pragmatic ones — the girls who could see that money invested meant a possible life after the misery of their days on the street. Money that they would have in the future. Money to raise a family on, if not in style, then at least not in abject poverty.
* * *
Robert had been away again, and had returned after another six-month stint travelling around Europe. He sat listening absently to the music, as he sipped his beer.
Jade kissed him on the cheek. ‘Where are you?’ she asked.
‘What?’
‘Well you’re certainly not sitting here with me at the moment.’ She laughed.
‘Just which country are you in?’
‘I’m worried about several countries.’
‘Germany?’
‘And Italy.’
‘You don’t like Mr Hitler.’
‘I saw firsthand what they were capable of, when they helped out in Spain. They were far too efficient, and they’ve grown in strength since then. The same for Mussolini.’
‘You’re thinking of war?’
‘Our government doesn’t think it’s possible, but I’ve had the chance to see it up close, and I’m not convinced that having an army and navy the size of Germany’s, is a good thing for the rest of Europe. I also saw a lot of things happening to parts of the population that fill me with dread.’
‘You mean the Jews?’
‘Not just Jews, but anyone that doesn’t meet the government’s criteria of what a true ‘German’ should be.’
‘Actually, now that you mention it, Peter Haskins tells me that there’s been a lot of Europeans coming in to sell works of art. They’ve left their homes hurriedly, and are selling whatever they have of value so that they can start over again, either here or in the United States.’
Robert regarded Jade for a moment, deciding whether to continue this conversation. Realising that Jade had probably guessed many things about him, he decided to continue. ‘That’s part of the reason that I was at the auction house the day we met. I was trying to locate just that type of person; I need to talk to them. They may have the information to help us to fill in some of the blanks.’
‘I’m sure that Haskins and Green would be glad to supply the information — you’d just have to ask.’
‘I’d prefer that the fewer people that know, the better.’
‘You’re a spy. Aren’t you?’ Jade whispered.
‘Intelligence. There’s a great deal of difference.’
Jade looked Robert in the eye. ‘So you want me to find out the information for you?’
Robert considered the question, debating whether to commit Jade, or allow her to remain uninitiated. ‘Would you help me get the information?’
‘I’ll just ask Peter.’
‘No. I prefer you didn’t ask anyone. We don’t want to raise any suspicions. There are any number of people, in all levels of society, who have a high regard for Hitler, and the way he has turned Germany’s fortunes around.’
‘So, how do I get the information?’
‘I’ll pick you up for a picnic tomorrow, and then I’ll show you.’
‘You won’t tell me now?’
‘It’s something that you have to be shown.’
‘I suppose you’ll expect me to provide the picnic hamper.’
‘If you do, I’ll bring the champagne.’
‘Just as long as you don’t buy it from this pub.’
The following morning, Robert arrived in a small, open, two-seater sports car, and Jade felt exhilarated, as they wove between the city traffic. Once out into the countryside, Robert increased speed, causing Jade’s hair to fly out behind her, like a flag.
‘This feels wonderful!’ yelled Jade, over the sound of the motor, and rushing wind. ‘Where are we going?’
‘I don’t know; we’ll just keep going until we find the right spot.’
‘And what is the right spot?’
‘Quiet, with a view.’
They drove on, and came to a sign pointing to the right, for the town of Walton Village. Turning, Robert drove through the laneways leading to the rural market town. Just before the village, they came to another lane, and Robert turned into it. They were surprised when the lane ended at the low fieldstone fences of two houses, standing side by side in the loneliness of the countryside.
‘This looks like it’s as far as we can go,’ said Jade.
Pointing, Robert said, ‘I can see a rise over there with a few trees on it. That looks like the perfect place for a picnic. Let’s go.’
They climbed the fence surrounding the fields, circled the houses, and climbed toward the trees. When they arrived, they found welcoming shade, and Jade spread the blanket she carried, while Robert opened the first bottle of champagne.
Robert proposed a toast, ‘To picnics in perfect places.’
They clicked glasses, and surveyed their surroundings.
‘Those two houses look totally out of place down there, all by themselves,’ commented Jade.
‘Yes. They look as though they belong on a city street. But they’ve certainly found themselves an ideal place to stand. It must be so quiet and peaceful to live out here.’
Jade rested her head on Robert’s shoulder, as they surveyed the scenery from their lofty position, and sipped their drinks. She felt that she would like the moment to
