Saturday 6th March
CHAPTER 62
Two days passed by and Paris was still deep in shock. The government was in disarray and the French people mourned at the loss of thousands of people and the destruction of their capital.
The remaining survivors had agreed to meet in a five bedroom government safe house close to Benodet, Brittany.
Paul sat alone and looked around the room. The meeting had been discussing what to do with the Brethren and the offer Tyson had made. Jasmine disapproved of the idea of working with him. She despised him strongly knowing that he was involved with her uncles death. Paul remained quiet unsure of what to say or how to act.
The meeting had been going on for over three hours and it was beginning to stall. The Minister and Jasmine wanted to carry on fighting. Tim was looking to find a way of negotiating with the Brethren.
At one point everyone looked to Paul who had not contributed anything to the meeting.
Jasmine smiled trying to encourage him to contribute "What do you think?"
Paul was lost in thought "Think about what sorry?"
Jasmine looked at him "About what we were talking about. Have you not been paying attention?"
Paul shook his head "No."
The minister was not impressed "Why did you even come if your not willing to help."
Paul felt claustrophobic being in the room. He looked to everyone and he was eager to leave.
"Excuse me" he said.
He walked outside and the spring was fresh with the scent of the ocean and a warm breeze blew against his face. He felt revived and wondered why he was here. Paul knew that he done everything that had been asked of him and that the people that were meant to help where in the room behind him.
For Paul, leaving and returning to his life was tempting. He thought about letting them fight on their own. He knew that Paris had been destroyed and France was in turmoil but this was no longer his fight and no longer his problem.
The discussion continued in the distance and the flow of conversation continued. Paul left the house and took a short walk into Benodet. He recalled how we was quiet on the seven hour journey to Benodet and how he had barely said a word to Timothy.
The town came into view and he walked a short distance to the shoreline. In front of him seagulls dived bombed into the sea for fish. Salty spray littered the air as the sun shone overhead. As he walked he paused for a moment looking out towards white crested waves rolling in the distance.
For Paul it felt good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the house and he had been there for three days listening to people discussing about Paris and what to do. He recalled in his mind how he got to the house a short time after the Interior Minister.
It reminded him of being on weekends away in his youth with his family and would often feel like the odd one out and didn't feel apart of what was going on.
Jasmine followed him five minutes later into Benodet. Paul sat a café overlooking the northern side of the Bay of Biscay. He ordered a hot chocolate and it was a nice alternative to drinking coffee. He sighed and began to feel rejuvenated and enjoyed being isolated in his own private world.
In the distance he saw Jasmine approaching him steadily and she sat at Paul's table. They both sat quietly for a moment, Paul was wary and he was expecting her to explode and start another row. Jasmine was the first to speak.
"We've agreed to fight back and to take up Tyson's offer. The minister tells us the Brethren have been located to an island called Ile D'Yeu located near the Loire Valley."
Paul tried to sound enthusiastic but failed "It sounds like you've figured it all out."
Jasmine knew Paul felt excluded "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. The records you provided mean we now know who runs the Brethren. I don't know how you got them."
Paul knew that he was cornered "I promised not to say anything but it was your mum who gave them to me."
Jasmine sounded annoyed "My mum. You should have said something."
Paul shrugged his shoulders in resignation "I know I am sorry."
Jasmine looked at passing cars on the street before turning back to Paul "We have all kept secrets through all this. The minister would like you to stay out of things and thinks that you would be a liability."
Paul nodded in agreement "I should head back home and then you can call me when its all over."
Jasmine was indignant "Your giving up just like that?"
Paul continued to sound resigned "You said it yourself. The minister wants me out of things and I have barely contributed anything in the meeting."
Jasmine continued to press Paul "The minister may not want you involved. I was talking with Helena and Tim and they both reckon that you should be with us in this."
Paul sounded reassured and he was convinced "Thanks for the vote of confidence. When do we leave?"
Jasmine got up "Now. We will move to another site but we have to gather some intelligence before the Brethren meet in two days."
Paul was reassured and walked with Jasmine back to the house.
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