"Madame Perrin." I called out to the woman as she beeped her way through the crowd in the centre of Bussy. "It's Lucile Angellier, Gaston's wife."

"Get out of the damn way." She snapped to the others and saw me; her face softened slightly. "You've got to leave. They're coming."

The sound of a plane filled our ears once more; as everyone ducked for cover under anywhere they could find. Madame pulled me behind a car as the plane came over our heads.

All of a sudden, the plane disappeared and the sound of paper flapping in the wind overtook the fear of people as the paper fell around the town. As one fell onto my head, I took it into my hands; reading the German Print on it.

ABANDONED PEOPLE, TRUST THE GERMAN SOLDIER!

Madame put the radio on once we had gotten home; sipping her tea as she listened to the Prime Minister speaking on the radio. Giving the news, we all did not want to hear.

"Frenchmen and Women! In these painful times, I think of the unfortunate refugees who. are streaming along our roads totally stripped of all they own. I offer them my compassion and my solicitude. It is with a breaking heart that I tell you today that we must stop fighting." He spoke; making my heart stop and go to my throat. "I have spoken with the enemy tonight to ask him if he is ready... to seek with us, among soldiers, after battle and with honour the means of putting an end to the hostilities."

Fear had seized the town. Rumours spread that a regiment was heading to Bussy. I left only the bare essentials in Gaston's office. Madame Angellier would rather see his things burn than in the hands of one of their soldiers.

Day's had gone by and the fear had seemed to eat away the people of the town. Every day we waited for their arrival. When everything would change. I am sure the whole village would be turned around, but I tried not to think about it much. Madame and I still attended church; she felt as if we needed God in this great terrible time, which was true – Bussy, needed it more than ever right now.

"Brethren of Bussy, a great tragedy has befallen our nation. Millions have fled their homes, many thousands have lost their lives and the fate of a whole generation of brave young men still remains unknown. Only God knows what's in store for all of us and the country that we can no longer call our own." The reverent spoke as he looked to the congregation. "We must hold firm together. Hold firm together. We must put aside anything that will divide us from our neighbour. We must unite into one being, one family under God."

The sound of cars and tanks trembled the ground; making my body fill with Goosebumps as they came closer – fear raced through my body; making my heart pump faster.

"They're here already." I cried out in a whispered voice.

"Let us pray." The reverent smiled as we all stood up.

"Anna stand-up" I heard Leah, Anna's mother whisper to her child; alongside the rest of us who stood up as well.

While the reverent prayed, we all gave the sign of God as we walked out of the church; gathering around in a huge group as the Germans piled in, more and more by the second.

"Under the authority and the signature of Marchal Ptain, a new constitution of the French State is signed guaranteeing the rights of Labour, of family and of the Fatherland." The young man spoke in English as he looked to us all. "You are defeated and we are now in charge. All firearms must be surrendered to German headquarters tomorrow morning. As our Fuhrer writes, "The sword will become our plough and from the tears of war...'"

"How long will they be here?" I whisper as I looked to Madame in fright.

"I don't know." She spoke fearlessly. "But I'm damned if I'm living by German time."

"Those who have been billeted an officer should return home and prepare for their arrival." The man added as he got down from the tank, kissing the hand of a girl beside him; who seemed to swoon over him.

"We don't look to him." She ordered me as I set the table, ready for dinner; with my back facing the entrance of the door. "We don't speak at him."

The door knocked and I heard the Marthe – our maid – let him into the house. My breathing hitched slightly as I heard his heavy boots trail closer to us.

"Madame" I heard him say as stood behind me. I could not move. "Madame Angellier, I'm Oberleutant Bruno Von Falk. You have been told to expect me? Madame. I will try not to inconvenience you. I only require a room and somewhere to work."

He walked away from us and I saw him go over to the clock. He opened it up and the sound of the hands turning pricked my ears as I continued to look away from him.

"Excuse me. I hope you don't mind, but I can't be late." He spoke with a smile as the sound of a dog came barking through the house. The man walked away; still not looking to him as he went away.

"He didn't say anything about a dog." She snapped, which made me smile slightly. I am sure Hitler himself would have been terrified by the woman. 

"May the Lord bless these gifts we are about to receive. May he bless those unable to share his bounty with us. Guide them from danger." Madame spoke as we blessed the food in front of us. "Keep them safe. Amen."

"Amen" I muttered as I picked up my cutlery in each hand. Before I could tuck into my meal, the sound of those famous heavy boots, once again came closer. Looking down, I put my hands to my lap; still following the orders of Madame.

"Madame. May I kindly request the key to the piano and the desk?" He asked as he looked to Madame, who still did not look to him. "I give you my word that they will be treated with the utmost care."

"Marthe will give you the key." She answered as I looked up briefly; our eyes connecting as soon as I lifted them up.

"Good evening." He smiled as I looked away once more; slightly afraid of him and his power.

"He'll be playing Deutschland ber Alles before we know it." Madame snapped as she tucked into her huge meal.