‘Well, sir, as an acknowledged Anglophile, you’ll know about the indomitable British spirit.’
Von Appold cast a glance at the windows. The whir of the planes was getting closer.
‘Spirit, indomitable or otherwise, won’t hold sway. You know it cannot end well for you and your French allies while we continue to hold the tactical advantage. You’ll never be able to defeat us in open warfare.’
‘But the rules of warfare have changed, Colonel, as you acknowledge yourself.’ Robert drained his glass. ‘Your new front line is jolly impressive, I’ll grant you that. But I can see for myself the effect of our blockade. You’re running out of food and equipment. How long until you’re out of bombs and bullets?’ He nodded to his plate. ‘This dinner is all for show. I bet even Kaiser Bill himself isn’t dining as lavishly as you and I tonight.’
‘Come now, Captain, you accuse me of underestimating British resilience. By the same token, do not underestimate our will to prevail either. We wouldn’t have started what we couldn’t finish.’
‘Only because you expected to march victorious straight into Paris, and for the whole show to be over within weeks. But the French stopped you in your tracks and you haven’t moved since – except to go backwards. Verdun and the Somme bled you white, and now you’re fighting on two fronts. You’ll never be able to mount a halfway decent offensive again. How long before there’s revolution on the streets of Berlin, just as in Russia? Leutnant Brandt here reliably informed me that German civilians are dying for want of food and medicine. And meanwhile you’ve been foolish enough to provoke the Americans. They’re on the verge of declaring war. You’re finished.’
Across the room Brandt leapt to his feet. ‘The Americans have no army to speak of!’ he shouted. ‘And you and your allies will be finished before a single American boot steps on European soil!’
‘Leutnant!’ Von Appold barked. Brandt stood to attention and sat down, red-faced.
‘I apologise, Captain,’ said von Appold. ‘However, we must agree to disagree. We Germans have the luxury of being able to sit tight.’ He linked his hands. Robert saw that his knuckles were tense. ‘But you British and your allies, you will need to mount a new offensive, and soon.’
Robert folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
‘Now, where might be the best place to attack?’ The colonel signalled to Brandt, who came over and laid a detailed map of northern France and Belgium on the tablecloth. Brandt shot Robert a look, and his eyes were dark with hatred.
‘No doubt you will want to relieve the pressure on your French brothers-in-arms,’ said von Appold. ‘How about Champagne? Or a diversionary attack further north? Or an offensive in the Ypres salient?’
‘As I said, you most likely already know far more than I, sir. But anyway, even if I did know anything, do you think I’d tell you? Do you think me a fool?’
‘Not for a minute. But I assure you, Captain, you know more than you think.’ Von Appold lit another cigarette. ‘It’s a pity we can’t be friends, you know. The Germans and British are natural allies, not enemies. We both want the same thing: our rightful position on the world stage. We should work together, for our mutual advantage.’
‘What, agree to carve up Europe and the rest of the world between us? Make a gentlemen’s agreement to leave each other to our own spheres of influence?’
Von Appold looked as if he were beginning to lose patience. ‘Captain, I take it you have never been a prisoner of war before. Naturally, the German Empire respects its obligations under international law, but conditions in our officer camps, with the best will in the world, are far from… comfortable, let us say. I can make life more agreeable for you.’
‘What?’ Robert snorted. ‘You mean if I betray my country, you’ll make sure I receive black bread rather than horse beans? Sir, this is repugnant; you insult me with the very suggestion. Do you take me for a traitor?’
‘On the contrary. It is clear you are an honourable and patriotic man. But surely, Captain, it is not disloyal but in fact the more principled, more courageous option to reject a doggedly held policy that will condemn one’s people to defeat, to generations of hardship and ignominy! Is it not better to be on the right side of history?’
Robert pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘Well, thanks awfully for supper, Colonel. It’s been top hole. Now, if you’d be so kind as to point me in the direction of the men’s cloakroom…’
‘Sit down,’ barked Brandt, putting a hand over his holster.
‘Oh please don’t let’s end things on a sour note,’ Robert said. ‘Not when we’ve been getting on so famously. I thought we’d decided we’re friends, not enemies.’
Von Appold cleared his throat impatiently. ‘Sit down. Now, you are a captain in the South Middlesex Regiment,’ he said coldly.
Robert sighed theatrically. ‘As we’ve already established. And anyway, your men already relieved me of my service record book, which will tell you everything you wish to know.’
Outside, the planes buzzed ever closer.
‘Sir, we should bring him downstairs,’ urged Brandt in a low voice.
‘Yes, in a moment. Their target is the ammunition dumps to the north. Now, the South Middlesex are here.’ Cigarette between his fingers, von Appold pointed to the map. ‘The North Wiltshires are to the south. Who’s to your north? New Zealanders?’
‘Really, sir, this is pointless.’
‘Where are the Canadians and Australians?’
The windows started to rattle.
‘Enough,’ Robert said. ‘My name is Robert Lovett and I’m a captain in the South Middlesex Regiment. I have nothing more to say. Now, sir, if you’ve plans to get your henchman here to bash me about, can we please get cracking, as I have to use the petit coin rather urgently. All that champagne, you know. Plays havoc with the bladder.’
A bomb fell a little way off and the room shook.
‘Sir, the cellar!’ Brandt urged.
‘Yes, yes, all right. A precaution.’
‘Get up!’ Brandt jabbed Robert painfully between the shoulder blades with his pistol. Robert, furious, leapt up and spun round. Brandt took a step back and levelled his gun. ‘Give me the least excuse and I’ll happily blow your head off.’
‘Fight me man to man and we’ll see who comes off best, shall we?’ Robert answered.
‘But I wouldn’t want to damage your pretty face,’ Brandt said with a sneer.
Then Robert’s eyes were filled with a blinding light and there was a deafening noise. The windows at the front of the salon blew in, and he was aware of Brandt flying towards him and hitting him full in the chest, then being propelled through the air himself with great force.