Chapter 4 -

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That night, the sound of music filled my ears. The sweet sound of the piano I used to play to my father when I came back home from England. The music he played, I did not recognise, but the sweat melody made me forget about anything that was happening. It made me feel like everything was fine and things were back to how they were.

The next day, we were all demanded to go hand in any army weapon in the town hall. Madame had instructed I do so, so she could go and collect the rents. Walking into the village, I saw Leah and Anna standing; looking at the wall full of propaganda posters.

"Did you find somewhere to stay?" I smiled as I asked her as she turned to me with bloodshot eyes,

"Yes. Thank you." She sniffled as she struggled to smile; walking away from me as I looked to where she was looking.

BEWARE THE DETESTABLE TYRANNY OF THE JEWS!

"Have you seen this one?" I heard Madeleine ask me as I walked over to her. "We have to take German money. We can't go out after nine. And God help you if you're found listening to De Gaulle on the radio."

I rolled my eyes as I looked to the stupid rules on the wall in front of me. I feared the writing much more than I would like to admit.

"Have you got anyone?" She asked me as we walked over to the fountain.

"An officer." I sigh, thinking about him slightly; the thought of Madame's instructions fill my mind as I look to Madeleine.

"That's the price you pay for having the best house in the village I suppose." She teased, yet I knew she meant every word.

"And you?" I asked her as she looked away.

"Nobody." She grinned. "The only benefit of having the worst."

I smiled to her as we turned around to see Celine getting water from the well in the centre of the village. I smiled to her as she looked to me, but I only got a glare back in return.

"Why does she look at me like that?" I sigh as I look away.

"You don't know?" Madeleine asks as I shake my head in confusion. "Your mother-in-law moved her and her parents into a barn. Then she put a refugee from Paris into their home and doubled the rent."

*3rd Person POV*

"Name, occupation, address." The officer asked as he looked to Beniot.

"Benoit Labarie. Farmer. The Montmort estate." He answered as he handed over his gun.

"Next!" He snapped as he moved Beniot along. "Name, occupation, address."

"Viscountess." Benoit muttered to the pair as he hobbled past.

"Benoit." She answered as she looked down to the limping man.

"Viscount" He muttered too.

"Excuse me." She calls out to him; making him stop in his track. "Your wife and children were in church yesterday. Where were you?"

"Working." He muttered as he glared to the pair, his blood boiling. "Not that you'd know anything about that."

"Benoit." Madeleine scolded her husband as she gripped onto his arm. Please be careful what you say to them. We've been their tenants for generations."

"They never give us anything but grief." He snapped as they walked out of the town hall.

Meanwhile, all the residents of Bussy were abiding by the rules of the Germans. The Viscounts were already testing the boat, to show they did not fear nor hated the Germans. They asked a lot from them as the Viscount placed a box of French cigars in front of the generals face.

"What's French for bribery Bonnet?" The general sniggered to the man who made the speech earlier on.

"I'd prefer you consider them a gift." The Viscount smiled nervously.

"A gift?" The general frowned in confusion.

"Do you think we might speak alone?" The Viscount pleaded as he looked to Bonnet. "It's a rather delicate matter and-"

"That will be all Bonnet." The general spoke to the solider as he walked out. "Have a seat."

"It's about Bonnet staying with us at the Chateau." The Viscount sighed as he sat in the chair.

"He comes from a very good family." The general interrupted as he lit one of the cigars. "I put great emphasis on placing like with like."

"Of course." The Viscount agreed as he looked to the stern German. "And all the people of Bussy have to be subjected to the law like everyone else."

"Even if you're the mayor and viscount." The general snapped.

"I'm sure you appreciate that. It's about my wife." He began as he stood up again. "She feels uncomfortable with the thought of anyone living with us. Maybe we could offer something other than our living quarters."

"What about my first lieutenant?" General frowned as he breathed in the smoke.

"I'm sure we can find him somewhere else." Viscount smiled, hoping the general would make his request, a possibility. "He can stay at the Labarie farm, it's on our estate."

*Amelia's POV*

"Thank you" I smiled as I walked out the shop, carrying the bags of food I got with the coupons Madame gave me. As I walked through the square, I saw the girls washing their clothes with the German soldiers surrounding them as they continued to do their job, with the older women scowling at them as they continued to flirt.

"Get inside, girls" The middle aged women snapped to their children as they pulled them inside the house.

We'll have to get used to it, I'm afraid, along with everything else. There had been no men in our town for so long. The mothers of French soldiers looked on with disgust and begged God to curse them. But the young women just looked.

"You are beautiful." One flirted as he helped Celine pour the water in. "What is your name?"

"Celine." She giggled as she watched him. "C-E-L-I-N-E."

"Celine, could I have a word with you, please?" I heard one women snap as she saw the two flirting in front of the whole town.

"Can I carry those bags for you?" I heard our soldier ask as I walked past; while he dried his hands and face in the fountain. "I'm going that way anyway."

I continued to walk as I looked onwards; remembering Madame's instructions and not wanting to let her down in anyway.

"You can say, no, thank you." He frowned as I continued to walk on.

I walked on home. After finally arriving, I placed the bags on the table; revealing my hands read and blistering from the heavy bags that were full of shopping. I walked into the kitchen; about to take everything out.

"That's not for in here." I heard Marthe say as she held my forearm. "You're not going to like this."

She walked me to the pantry and turned the small gas light on as we went down; revealing a pantry full of food. Any food you could think of: bread, cheese, milk, meat, chocolate, vegetables. I felt disgusted with myself.

"If it makes you feel any better everybody who can afford to is doing it." Marthe smiled slightly as she saw the guilt on my face.

My mother-in-law pretended we were united in war, but the well-off continued to reap their own wheat and count their own money and to hell with everyone else. Others like Benoit and Madeleine wouldn't have hoarded even if they'd had the chance.

I made my way over to their farm; wanting to give them something in return for their kindness they had shown me since arriving in Bussy.

"This is for you." I smiled as I handed her over some meat and bread. "It's just we have food to spare... if you know what I mean."

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