The Siren of Paris (40 page)

The clock stopped, as did the flashbacks. Marc stood with the dead of the
Lancastria
, surrounding Yves who held firm to his staff.

“What day is this?” Marc asked.

“June 18, 2040,” Yves said.

“Why are we here?”

“This is the day of healing, the last day you must see before you can let go of this life and be free,” Yves said. Marc’s attention felt drawn to across the Channel, to London.

A older clerk walked slowly down the long corridor of the new building created to house the records in London. He opened a door and walked into an office.

“Yes, what is it?” the younger clerk sitting at the desk said, looking up at him.

“There is a request for these records,” he said, holding a file.

“And that is a problem?”

“They were sealed.”

“So show them the records. You don’t need me for that.”

“But the rules are that they need to be reviewed first, even if the seal has expired,” the older clerk said with a smirk.

“You are such a pain. You are interrupting my work for this?”

“I have never seen you work. Please, look at the seal,” the older clerk said.

“What is this?” He snapped the file from the new clerk’s hand.

“Bloody right, I say. You need to get off your bum and review this file.”

The younger clerk looked at the front of the file, at the one-hundred-year-old seal of Winston Churchill’s office. He opened it and began to read the documents inside.

“Come on, now, what does it say?”

“Oh, I had no idea. This explains everything,” the younger clerk said, scanning the papers. He folded the file and handed it back.

“That’s it?”

“Yes, of course. It’s time. Show them the file.”

“Why was it sealed for a hundred years? I’ve never seen any records from the war still under seal.”

“You can read it now, too. I’m not sure why it has been kept sealed for a hundred years, but I believe I understand why they thought back in 1940 they needed to keep it sealed that long,” the younger clerk said.

The older clerk then returned to the front desk to deliver the file over for the small crowd gather in the waiting room.

Marc’s attention returned to Saint-Nazaire. His soul radiated a beautiful golden light, with all of the others gathered for this day.

“Your watch is now complete. The time has come for us now to go. Will you all please join me for the final prayers?” Yves bellowed out. Marc felt a sweet change inside himself called freedom.

“May the Peace of the Lord within you heal you of all your wounds by day or from night, by love or from war.”

All the people gathered known unto God said with a unified voice, “Thanks be to God.”

For Book Clubs, or Class Discussion groups

1. Humans have a remarkable ability to choose denial over truth when it suits their personal goals. Marc chooses to ignore numerous warning signs that this was not a good time to go to France, and instead brush them off to justify his decision. This aspect of Marc’s personality comes out when he believes Dora’s is referring to the German’s and not the dangers of French women, and he makes the remark that he does not believe there is any reason to be concerned. His opinion is also reinforced by the friends he has selected on the crossing over, who also have a vested interest in the idea that all well be well in the future. How have you experienced that in your life? Have you noticed that certain people have a bias or predisposition to ignore out right or dismiss news, which does not fit their-conceived notion of reality?

2. Once the Athenia is sunk, and real innocent civilian lives have been lost in the very start of the War, how to do you think you would respond. Would you attempt to go south through Spain? Would you still rush to get a ticket on any ship? Would you consider a tramp steamer to South America? Or, do you think instead you would consider your chances better to remain in Europe and depend upon the efforts of the British and French Armies, with the near constant hope ever present in the papers that America would join the war in a matter of time? Do you sit, and wait, or run, and take your chances?

3. Marc’s status and social position enables him to move into a position of responsibility few would likely be able to naturally walk into off the street with Ambassador Bullitt, and the American Embassy. How does this appeal to his own ego, and how does the call to be important and loyal work against him in terms of making the best personal choices?

4. Marc leaves America behind, with a failed relationship, and within a few months falls into a new relationship in a foreign country. How can being both young, and dealing with cultural issues, blind someone to the fact they are repeating relationship cycles?

For more questions regarding The Siren of Paris, see
www.thesirenofparis.com