meet together. They had initially high hopes of forming a real resistance, but those hopes rapidly faded and many lost heart as the Vichy regime hardened its stance against Jews.

But Joseph's instincts told him that if he stayed in Paris with his family they would be doomed. And so their life changed from that of an affluent middle-class family in a wealthy Paris suburb effectively to the life of a family of gypsies with no means of support except their own guile and no shelter except for that which was taken surreptitiously or offered occasionally by people they could trust.

As David had sensed, his mother and father quietly appeared at their shelter in the barn. Joseph explained that they had to continue their journey. A friendly ear in the village had told him that some Vichy collaborators had spread the word there was a Jewish family hiding nearby. It would only be a matter of time before they were found unless they moved on. This was the pattern of their lives now.

David showed his father some eggs which he had hidden in his trouser pocket. Joseph smiled. He had explained some time ago to David that although God told them they must not steal, he was firstly a God of love. If they were hungry and the only food available was stolen food, then they would be forgiven. Just so long as they kept things in perspective and did not become greedy. Just four eggs. One for each of them. Joseph was proud of his son.

The family took up their battered suitcases and belongings and started to walk through tracks in the woodland, avoiding open spaces and being always prepared to lie low and hide at the first sign of trouble. Martine clutched her small ragged doll as tears fell silently down her little face.

"Don't fret, my little braveheart", whispered Joseph. "We'll show them how strong we are."

Learn more about this author, Colin Morley.
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