Fancy missed replying to Victoire as the girl went off to tend to a costumer. Exactly as she was supposed to do, the girl was a hard working and skilled employee, and Fancy was glad to have her.
Fancy turned her attention back to the bar and the drinks she needed to pour. She thought about the young allied pilot still hidden away upstairs and wondered how long he would be so. Where was her friend Marie with those papers? Or had it all been a mistake and the German army was just buying their time till they came and snatched him away from her.
From you? Oh now that is a dangerous thought. Fancy knew she had grown overly attached to Charlie and knew it was a foolish thing to do. She chalked it up to her lonely and empty life but it didn't help solve the problem either. She would need time. His French was improving. She'd invited him to come downstairs for a drink one night to practice. She couldn't force him of course, it was all a matter of nerve. But soon, no doubt, when he tired of his captivity he would begin to venture out. And once he had his falsified papers....well that would be it wouldn't it? He would go off with Marie and her band of Resistance fighters to end the war and save the world. And she would remain here, empty and alone. Some moments there wasn't enough liquor in the world.
She poured herself a shot of something strong and drank it in a single swallow; closing her eyes and putting a finger to her lips as the liquid burned it's way down her throat. She re-opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder as she heard the bell on the front door tingle once again. She looked in anticipation for a distraction from herself.