Winfred

13

Official Report

British Intelligence

Code: 3986

Kathleen Winfred

Jessica Parker

I was returned to my cell that night by Pirot who, although looking generally unhappy as usual, was not as curt with me as she usually was. 

I met her eyes as she locked me in and she averted her gaze, turning the key and disappearing down the hallway.

I sighed and returned to my corner with my blanket.

After a few moments, the lights were turned off. I learned that it was to preserve electricity and to keep the building dark and hopefully hidden from Allied forces. 

I rested my chin on my knees. I used to be somewhat uncomfortable drawing my knees up to my chest. I was not fat, by any means, but I was average, enough to breathe less comfortably when curled up. 

Spending time in the prison changed me, however, and I grew thinner and thinner. I could draw my knees to my chest easily after being captive for a little over a month.

The darkness and silence felt pressing that night. I picked at the threads on the edge of my blanket and wished that Schubert would come to find me again. I managed to persuade myself that it was a good thing the dog was staying away. He was Von Steubon's dog and Von Steubon hated me. 

Suddenly, I was startled by the sound of quiet sobs. I had not realized it, I suppose, but a new prisoner had been placed in the room adjoining mine. I could hear this new prisoner through the wall, which was thin.

Crawling to the door of my cell, I got as close to the bars as I could and whispered a greeting to the person next to me. 

The crying stopped for a moment and I heard shuffling...what sounded like someone moving to their own door. 

Indeed, moments later, my greeting was returned. 

I learned, immediately, by the strong smell of medicated shampoo, that this was the girl who had brought the lice. Hearing the pain in her voice, however, made me immediately forgive her for the standing in line and the lice checks. 

We talked into the night...we were one another's comfort in the darkness. 

It was the first of many nights spent like that.

Jessica Parker was from another division of the WAAF, and she had been caught when her plane went down. 

She had been here only a few days and already the torture was wearing her thin. She told me how worried she was that she would crack, and give Von Steubon something important. 

I buoyed her up that night, as she would do for me many times in the future.

Morning finally came, through the tiny square window high in the corner of my room, and the lights came back on. 

My friendship with Jessica Parker had only just begun

***

image: Rebecca Hall as Jessica Parker