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Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of the Spy who ad free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the audible app. Late 1941 Northern Syria Christina Skarbek shoots a quizzical look at Andrzej Kowarski as he pulls his Opel Olympia to the side of the road. Is something wrong? Why are we stopping? Skarbek and Kowrski are in Syria for their first spy mission in months. Syria is now under Allied control, but there are fears Turkey might invade, so Britain's special operations executives sent them here to identify how to sabotage bridges over the Euphrates river should that invasion happen. But there are no bridges in sight here. I just thought we could admire the view. Skarbek knows something's up but doesn't complain. She admires the contrast between the stony desert plateau they're on and with the river and its green, fertile plains below them. Kowarski joins her, moving with difficulty. His amputated leg is constantly painful these days. He leans on the car bonnet next to her and holds out a gold embossed jeweler's box. This is for you. Something I've been saving up for. It's beautiful. Inside the box is a bracelet with heavy gold links inset with ivory. Scarbeck kisses him. I will treasure it always, just as I treasure you. Koweski smiles nervously. Listen, I know you and Jerze are still married, but when you divorce, would you marry me? Scarbeck draws back. Kowarski's expression switches from hope to hurt. She hates to see it, but although she loves him, she's no longer sure about marriage. My darling, I do love you, but we can't get married now. The war's not over. Koweski stares out over the river plains. The war may as well be over for us. The British only gave us this mission out of pity. The two of them have spent the last six months under a cloud of suspicion. There's no evidence of treachery, but the Polish resistance won't let them operate in Poland. They're in limbo, still on the SOE payroll but relegated to the sidelines. But Scarbeck can't accept that fate. She gets back into the car. No, this war is not over for me. No matter what they say, you'll see.
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There's no one like you, and there never will be.
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From the producer Bohemian Rhapsody There are many legends, but there is only one Michael. Rated PG13, in theaters April 24th.
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With the Venturex business card from Capital One, you earn unlimited double miles on every purchase. Plus big purchasing power means you can spend more and earn more. The Capital One Venture X business card what's in your wallet? Term supply. See capitalone.com for details.
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I'm Indra Varma and this is the Spy who An Audible original In the last episode, Polish aristocrat and British spy Krystyna Skarbek escaped the Gestapo by biting her own tongue to draw blood and fake tuberculosis. She and Kowrski then fled the Nazi advance to reach Cairo, only to be benched by the soe. You're listening to the spy who inspired the first Bond girl. This is episode three, Rescue from Execution. Two and a half years later. July 7, 1944 the skies over Vercour, southeastern France. Christina Scarbeck is lifted off her seat as a jolt of turbulence hits the RAF bomber. She's on. Another jolt knocks her into the metal canisters wedged around her seat. It's been a rough ride from Algiers, flying through high winds and enemy fire. But no, nothing can destroy her happiness at being back in active service. After years of waiting, training and lobbying, she's finally going back behind enemy lines, but this time in France. Since she rejected his marriage proposal, her lover, Andrzej Kowarski, has been sent to Italy as a parachute liaison officer for soe. But Skarbek remained in Cairo, demanding to be sent on active operations. The successful Allied landings in Normandy worked in her favor. She speaks French fluently, and the SOE now needs more agents behind enemy lines to coordinate and support the activities of Resistance fighters. One of the bomber's crew yells above the noise, jumping. In three minutes, Scarbeck and the other three SOE officers on the flight move into position. The plane's flying low, just 200 meters above the ground, so her parachute bag must be connected to the fuselage. It should then open the moment she jumps. The RAF man yells in her ear. It's blowing a gale. Expect a rough landing. He opens the exit hatch. Scarbeck feels the blast of cold air hit her, along with a surge of adrenaline. She'd almost forgotten how she adores that rush. Then she jumps. A gust of wind blasts her sideways. She spins through the air, then smashes into the ground. Pain explodes in her ankle and back. After her body finally comes to a stop, she lies still, catching her breath in the wheat field she's landed in. Her ankle is agony to walk on. She sits up, grabs her pack and straps it with a scarf. She notices her revolver is mangled from the impact. She gathers up the parachute and buries it along with the broken gun. Finally, she unzips her flight suit and steps out of it, wearing an elegantly cut skirt, blouse and jacket. She looks around the dark, moonlit field. There's no sign of the reception committee. The wind must have blown her far from the drop zone. She smooths her hair, applies some lipstick and hobbles forward. She needs to find them before the Germans find her. It's a few days later. Skarbek's found her fellow SOE agents and is now helping them and a group of resistance fighters comb the hillsides for last night's airdrop of explosives and supplies. A very tall blond man with a neat moustache waves to the group as he approaches on a bicycle. As the resistance members greet him warmly, Scarbeck realises he must be Major Francis Kamar, the English SOE officer who runs the resistance network in the region. He holds out a hand to her with serious dark eyes. You must be the new assistant I asked for. Yes. Lovely to meet you. He nods approvingly at her, using her cover name. I found you a cottage in St. Julien. I'll take you there after we finished here. Scarbeck refuses to limp in front of Gamard, who she has decided is very handsome. But he notices her strapped ankle. I heard you had a pretty rocky landing. One of the other chaps broke his leg. It certainly wasn't graceful. I imagine I looked like a wet dishcloth coming down. Gamard grins and it lights up his serious face. Scarbeck feels her heart beat faster and is conscious of wanting to impress him. She's heard he built the SOE's secret network in southeast France from scratch. It now has around 10,000 agents. I heard you asked for a woman to assist you. Yes. Women work harder than men. Talking of which, you'll be covering a lot of ground each day. So the bicycle I brought is yours. Scarbeck looks at the bicycle and shudders. What's wrong? Bicycles are dangerous. I prefer to walk. You just jumped out of a plane into enemy territory, in the middle of a gale, no less. But you're afraid of bicycles. It's these little foibles that make me very unique. Well, I recommend a lot of plasters for your blisters to come. What instructions did HQ give you? I'm to be a courier, but my secondary mission is to convince Polish conscripts fighting with the Germans to defect. An excellent idea. We'll have to find out which garrisons they're based at. Let me think about how. Ah, there's one. Scarbeck watches Kamar move swiftly to retrieve the canister and feels a surge of happiness. At being in action once more with a handsome man at her side. A few days later, July 14, 1944. Bastille Day in the Alpine town of D. Skabek soaks up the sun at a cafe table in the street while Gamard sips coffee made from ground acorns, a wartime substitute for real coffee beans. It's a rare moment of relaxation since parachuting into France a week ago. Skarbex worked non stop couriering intelligence and supplies across the region's resistance network. Now, encouraged by the Allied invasion of Normandy, the people of D are defying the Nazis by celebrating Bastille Day. Celebrating France's National Day is risky, but the town is a resistance stronghold. The celebrations stutter to a halt as the buzz of approaching planes fill the air. Skaeck looks up and sees dozens of silver B17 Flying Fortresses moving in tight formation. The American bomber planes close in on a nearby mountain plateau. They open their bomb doors and release their payloads. Thousands of red, white and blue parachutes attached to crates of weapons and food fill the sky. Supplies that will prepare the Resistance for the Allies imminent invasion of southern France. Vi American. Vive la France. The townsfolk erupt in celebration. Skarbek turns to Kamar to share the moment, but he's not smiling. Instead, he has a face of thunder. Fools. A drop of that size in broad daylight? Do they think the Germans are blind? Skarbek snaps out of her jubilance and realises he's right. Then we need to organise collection teams immediately. Yes, and we have half an hour before the Germans arrive. Come on. The next night, Skarbek picks her way tiredly through the rubble of the small village of Saint Aignon. Like every settlement in Vercour, it's been bombed and strafed non stop by the Luftwaffe for the past 24 hours. Buildings are burning and makeshift hospitals have been set up for the wounded. Scarbeck hasn't slept since the American supply drop and feels beyond tired. She cut away parachutes and buried them, stripped weapons of packing grease and delivered them across the region. She's also carrying urgent messages between resistance groups and SOE operatives. Through it all, she has had to dodge relentless German bombing raids and take care of the bodies of those killed. Working beside her, Skarbek stops. In the distance, she can hear tanks and soldiers amassing. The German army is preparing for a massive assault. A tall, familiar man emerges from the hotel in front of her. She feels emotional with relief. Francis, thank God. So many are dead. I know, I know. Camard catches her as she collapses into his arms, and together they sink onto the steps of the hotel. After a moment, Camard lights a cigarette and they share it. I just met with the other commanders. It's not looking good. We don't have enough firepower to withstand this onslaught. Is it true, then, they're trying to wipe us out? Gamal's eyes reflect the flames around them as he nods. Despairing, they survey the brutal war scene. In front of them, Skaek stands resolutely. My last moments on this earth will be love, not hate and grief. She takes his hand and pulls him up. They stare into each other's eyes for a moment. Then she leads him into the hotel. DAWN the next morning Inside their hotel room, Scarbeck and Kamar stand at the broken window, watching a Luftwaffe bomber heading directly for them. Kamar drops to the floor, trying to pull Scarbeck down. If they release the bomb now, it'll come through this window, but Scarbeck refuses to crouch. She watches the bomb doors open and the bomb begin its flight. She takes a deep breath. She will meet death on her feet, looking it firmly in the eye. Scarbeck hears the bomb hit the roof, but nothing happens. She grabs Kamar by the hand and together they sprint outside to find the bomb half buried in a dry earth bank behind the hotel. Scarbeck whirls Kamar round with wild joy. They don't want us to die. They hug and kiss. Finally, Gamard pulls away. Well, if we're not dying, we've got work to do.
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Adobe Acrobat, your team's home base. Collaborate within a shared PDF space. You've got your docs, your plans, your specs, and then invite the crew to build. What's next?
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They talk up the teamworks.
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They think that this design could be a contender. And when somebody wonders what's the next AI helps you finish the rest. Bolts are tight now. Your plan's refined. Run a smoother business.
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When you're all aligned, do that with Acrobat.
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Learn more@adobe.com Dothatwith Acrobat Spring just slid into your DMs.
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Grab that boho. Look for that rooftop dinner, those sandals that can keep up with you. And hang some string lights to give your patio a glow up. Spring's calling, Ross.
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Work your magic. Two weeks later August 3, 1944 the hamlet of Bramouz, the French Alps. In a remote farmhouse clinging to the side of a mountain, Skabeck tears off a chunk of fresh bread and bites into it hungrily. Marcellini said There are about 60 Polish officers at Col de Lach, Garrison it's been two weeks since Skaek and Camard escaped the Battle of Vercourt. The Germans attacked without mercy, killing more than 600 resistance fighters and raping and slaughtering 200 villagers. Unable to bear thinking about it, she has thrown herself into her new mission, searching the Alps for Italian partisans who might help in the fight against the Germans. Now she's back in a resistance safe house, updating Camard on how the partisans told her there are Polish conscripts at two garrisons on the border with Italy. This is good news. We need fighters. I'm sure I can convince the conscript to desert the Germans and join the Resistance. Noting her hunger, Camard cuts her some goat's cheese and more bread. How many officers in total? About 150. Camars studies the map. Golder. L' Ache is ideal strategically, but it's difficult terrain. You'll need someone with you. No one is available and we cannot afford to wait. I do this alone. I'm not happy about that. But it's true. We are short of people and we've been told that German troops are massing in Italy. SOE headquarters wants us to sabotage the Alpine passes to stop them securing the area. Taking out Golderlache would help with that. So you agree with my plan? Yes. Get some sleep and rest those blisters. We'll organise the logistics tomorrow. Scarbeck grins and leans in close, whispering into his ear so as not to be overheard by the other SOE officers in the safe house. I sleep much better with you beside me. She feels his body tremor as desire flickers between them. Since their first night among the bombs, she and Camin have spent every night together they can discreetly manage. She knows Kamar feels conflicted. He has a wife and two small children back in England. But Skarbek has fallen as deeply in love with him as she is with Kowarski. She looks into his eyes. I don't want to waste a single minute I have with you. He lightly caresses her hand with his little finger and then moves away. She feels her heart thumping with the knowledge that he will come to her after everyone is asleep. Nine days later August 12, 1944 Scarbeck stands at the top of the steep mountain track she's just climbed and crawled her way up. Her hands are covered in cuts and her muscles ache, but she's reached her destination, the Cul de Lush garrison. It's an intimidating fort built into the face of a 2000 meter high mountain. Far below it is the Lache Pass, one of the few roads that link this part of France to Italy. As Scarbeck sneaks around the garrison making notes, she spots a guard and drops to the ground. She can't talk her way out of trouble if caught here, especially with a loudhaler slung across her back. But as she creeps towards the guard's position, she smiles. He's humming a Polish folk song. She begins humming and then singing too. Hey, hey, hey. Segovi omi AI cheguri la sedovi. The guard snaps his head around. Skarbek takes a deep breath and steps into the open. He lifts his rifle but lowers it when she addresses him in Polish. My countryman. My brother. Who are you? What are you doing here? I'm with the British. I know you only serve the Germans because they threaten your family, but in a week we have a chance to defeat them. What do you mean? The Allied invasion force is coming. In a week's time, British officers and resistance fighters will arrive. When you see the signal, you and the other Polish conscripts must sabotage the German weapons and dessert. Here, I've brought instructions. She hands over a sheet of typed instructions in Polish. He reads through it, frowning. Look, I would, but I don't know about my brothers. Then I will convince them. What time is roll call? 6:30. Why? What are you going to do? You'll see. Two hours later, through a pair of binoculars, Skaek watches the roll call begin before creeping down and hiding beneath the garrison's concrete and stone buttresses which jut out from the mountainside. Then, as the Germans begin the roll call, she switches on her loudhaler.
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Men of Poland, my name is Countess Christina Skaeck. The Allies are coming. Now is the time to throw off the yoke of our German oppressors.
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She hears the garrison's German commander panicking above her. Who is that? Where is she?
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For those of you brave enough, you will be found and given instructions. Our people are rising up in the streets of Warsaw. Do not abandon them. Fight. Fight until Poland is free.
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Find her. Ska Beck judges she has pushed her luck long enough. She switches the laute tailor off and slips away into the COVID of the forest. The next day, the village of Saint Lisalp. Skarbek heads towards a safe house owned by the local grocer and his wife. After evading the guards at the garrison, she's trekked 35 miles to get here. Now she's thinking longingly of a hot bath and some food. Pauline. Thank God. Come in. Scarbeck knows something's wrong the moment she steps into the safe house. Inside a Resistance fighter, who was using his Red Cross van to drive Kamar around the region, sits with his head in his hands. What's wrong? Has something happened? The grocer places a sympathetic hand on Skarbek's shoulder. It's Francis. He and the others were arrested by the Gestapo. They have been sentenced to death. Scarbeck feels her insides churn. How? How did this happen? The Resistance driver stands, twisting his cap in his hands. We were heading to Digne when we hit a roadblock. It was a routine search, but then the Gestapo officer noticed the banknotes in their wallets were all from the same series. How did you escape? I didn't have any money, so they let me go. Skarbek feels sudden anger at how they are all just sitting around moping. For heaven's sake, what are you all doing? We have to organise a commando team and rescue them. The grocer, an influential member of the local resistance, shakes his head. We will just get more people killed. We cannot afford more losses. We cannot afford to lose Francis. Our entire network will collapse without him. Nobody responds. They all look at the floor. I will not abandon him. Damn the rest of you. Skarbek storms outside, trying to think of a plan. The town of Dinh is 25 miles away and she doesn't have time to walk there. She sees the grocer's bicycle leaning up against the wall. She bites her lips and clamps down the fear in her throat. She swings a leg over the bicycle, pushes off and wobbles her way down the street towards Dinh. Two days later, Dinh Scarbeck walks through the Gestapo offices inside the prison with her head bowed and hair tied into a scarf. There is a price on her head and the Gestapo has her photo. She told the elderly French gendarme the outside of the prison that her husband had been arrested and she wished to bring him some food. He's now taking her to his captain to see if it can be arranged. As she is ushered in before the captain, adrenaline washes through her. The captain eyes her slim figure and jumps up to close the door behind the elderly gendarme. Madame, I am Captain Albert Schenck. My man says you wish to bring in some food for your husband? In a split second, she switches tactic. She pulls off her scarf, shakes her hair out and gives Schenk a glittering smile. The Gestapo have arrested three very important Allied agents, including my husband. I am also a British agent and the niece of Field Marshal Montgomery. I'm sure you have heard the Allies have just landed to the south. It won't take them long to reach here. And when they come, they will hunt those who killed my husband and his friends. Schenk gapes at her, astounded at her brazenness. But Skaek has no intention of giving him time to think. If the British soldiers don't shoot you, then you can be certain the resistance will. Schenk closes his mouth with a snap as he reassesses his options. I see. Well, I can do nothing. But there is a Belgian, Max Wham. He is a Gestapo interpreter. He's the one who arrested your husband. He might be able to help, but you'd need to make his intervention worthwhile. I'm sure with your connections, that wouldn't be a problem. He wouldn't be interested in any sum under 2 million francs. And it would need to be delivered soon. Your husband's execution is scheduled for two days time. Scarbeck's mouth compresses into a tight line. It's clear that Schenk intends to pocket the money himself. I see. Well, if you fix a meeting with Mr. Wham, I'll see what I can do about the money. She rises and moves to the door before turning back to him, almost as an afterthought. Oh, and Captain. Yes? If you double cross me, I'll shoot you myself. She walks calmly out of the door, but inside her mind is spinning. Will the SOE be willing and able to airdrop the cache in time? And even if they do, will she hand over British money to the enemy, only to be arrested and executed herself. Two days later? August 17, 1944. Dinh Christina Scarbeck sits at the dining table in Albert Schenck's flat with 2 million francs in front of her. Her host eyes the money greedily, but she has refused to hand it over until the deal is done. She hears a car pull up outside and someone coming up the stairs. She resists the urge to flee by jumping out of the nearby window. Max Wham slams open the door. He is blonde, dressed in a Gestapo uniform. In his hand is a revolver pointed at Skarbek's head. So you are the Allied agent who invited herself to her own execution. Skarbek doesn't move, but simply smiles. No, no. I am the agent offering you the chance to save yourself. Wham's gaze flicks to the money on the table and back to her. Schenk's wife hesitantly enters the room with coffee. Wham places his revolver on the table and sits. Talk. Then Skaabeck waits as Schenk's wife pours them all Real coffee. A treat she hasn't had since arriving in France. She savors her first sip. I'm a British officer and in constant contact with Allied headquarters. She puts a hand into her skirt pocket and brings out some small electronic components. She sees from Wham's expression that he recognizes them as the transmitter crystals used in SOE radio sets. She hopes they're enough to convince him of her story. This is why I know that you are isolated here in Digne. The French Resistance has cut off every line of retreat. Your garrison will be no match for the Allied invasion force and they will be here within days. Wham says nothing, but he also hasn't arrested her. When you surrender, as you must, German officers will become POWs. But you two are not German officers. You are collaborators, known for the torture and execution of your own people. You will be handed over to the Resistance. Fear flickers across Schenk's face. He looks at Wham. The Belgian keeps his eyes on Scarback. I imagine I will see your naked, beaten corpses swinging from a lamppost somewhere. Wham tries to sip his coffee, but his hands are shaking so badly it's spills. And what is your proposal? If you save my husband and his fellow officers, you will be given safe passage to the nearest Allied base outside of France. Wham looks at his watch. Your husband is due to be executed in two hours. Then you should make your decision quickly. TWO hours LATER Din Prison SOE network chief Francis Kamar looks up and sees Wham, the man who arrested him, standing in his Gestapo uniform with a revolver in his hand. It's 9pm Time for his execution. Camard closes his eyes briefly. This is it. The moment he has always expected. He stands, squares his shoulders and walks out into an open courtyard, his two fellow SOE officers behind him. He looks up at the the grey and stormy sky. An evening storm is closing in. He thinks of Scarbeck with an ache. Wham directs them out of the prison gates. Camar turns to the nearby football field where the Gestapo holds their executions. But then Wham motions him to go in the other direction. They turn a corner and Wham shepherds them into the Citroen car that is parked there. Get in, quick. Wham is slips into the driver's seat and drives off. Gamard sees a roadblock looming ahead. Wham slams his foot down on the accelerator and leans out of the window. Open up. Emergency. The guards on the roadblock see Wham's official car and Gestapo uniform and clear the way. The car flies past the roadblock and into the open countryside. Kemach turns to Wham. What is happening? Where are you taking me? Wham doesn't reply. He speeds around a couple of bends, but then slows and turns into a secluded clearing. Kamar sees the silhouette of a woman. The car headlights catch her. It's Scarbeck, waiting for them with a satisfied grin on her face. TWO DAYS LATER Col DE Lache it's late at night and SOE officer John Halsey crouches among pine trees, watching a work crew from the garrison. They're fixing one of the few roads that link France with Italy. There's just one German officer supervising them and Horsley's brought 50 resistance fighters with him. But high above them on the mountainside next to the road, is the Col de Lache garrison. It's as inaccessible and difficult to take as Scarbeck said. He just hopes her confidence that the Polish conscripts will desert isn't misplaced. They've been instructed to sabotage the big guns and weaponry. If the Poles fail to do that, Halsey and his small company will be wiped out before they can reach it. Sir. The signal. A light in the distance blinks out a swift message in Morse code. The communication lines to the garrison have been cut. Halsey nods to the men around him. Let's go. He steps out onto the road and points his revolver at the German officer. Hands up. The German spins around with his pistol ready, but Halsey is too quick for him. The German is thrown back as the bullet slams into his shoulder. The resistance fighters surround the work group, who put up their hands and smile. Halsey is relieved. Are you Polish? Polska? A member of the work group, nods. She said you would come. Together. The newly enlarged party climbs silently towards the garrison. On reaching the main gates, Halsey lifts his loud halo.
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This is Captain John Halsey.
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We have you surrounded.
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Your communications have been cut and you
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have an officer who needs medical attention. Surrender now and nobody needs to die inside the garrison. The German commander races out of the officers barracks while putting on his jacket and yelling at his Polish troops. What are you doing? Fire on them. But instead the Poles aim their rifles at him before he has had time to process the mutiny. Another German officer interrupts. Commandant, the heavy guns have been disabled. Somebody's removed the firing pins. The Polish soldiers grin. One waves a pin in his hand. Another opens the gates to let Halsey and the resistance. Resistance in. The German commander realizes resistance is futile. He slowly raises his hands. The garrison's been taken with a single shot. TWO WEEKS later Lyon Scarbeck and Kamar drive through the streets in a military jeep. The city of Lyon is newly liberated. Allied soldiers are being being hugged by civilians. Dejected collaborators with shaven heads are being marched through the streets. And humiliated. As he parks outside a cafe, Camard gives Scarbeck a concerned look. You're being quiet. Anything wrong? Of course not. You're alive and the Germans are on the run. But the truth is, Scarbeck knows her time in France is finished and she will soon have to part from Camard. She's dreading it. Dreading what comes after the end of war. He takes her hand and kisses it. Have I told you just what an amazing woman you are over the past fortnight? Many times, my darling. Come on. Together they walk into the cafe and join other SOE officers drinking wine and toasting freedom. Cheese, La Prince. Cheers. Cheers. But Skarbek feels a distance growing between herself and her SOE comrades. She's glad France is being liberated. But the news from Poland is far from good. The Warsaw uprising is being crushed. The Soviets have refused to support the uprising and are holding back from liberating the city. Skarbek, like most Poles, knows Moscow's armies will not bring freedom for her homeland. Just more repression. Camar stands with a glass of wine in his hand. A toast to Christina Scarbeck, my rescuer and one of the bravest and most extraordinary people I've ever met. Here, here, Christina. Their eyes meet. Skarbek smiles, then looks away quickly to hide the welling tears. This is goodbye. Camard will go home to England and his family, but she has nothing to go back to. Her mother was arrested by the Gestapo and is presumed dead. Her brother joined the Polish resistance, but she has not heard of him since. She has no money, no family and no country. As she sips her wine, she decides she needs to find Andrzej Kowarski. Maybe together they can help Poland. Spring 1945 Bari, Italy Kowrski glances at Skarbek. He worries for her. They are on their hotel room's balcony, but she is gazing out to sea with her knees clasped to her chest, unmoving. He squeezes her shoulder. Kitten, I think we could do with getting away from here. Perhaps a holiday in Greece. Scarbeck turns her head, but her eyes are unseeing. And Greece? They're in Italy to prepare for an SOE mission to Poland. But the proposed mission kept getting pushed back. Then a few days ago, the mission was cancelled. The word on the grapevine is that Britain and America have agreed to leave Poland's fate to the Soviets. After her initial fury, Skaek has spoken little, rendered speechless at being robbed of her hope that her country will ever be free. Kowrski tries again, desperate to break through her grief. And I thought perhaps we should think about the future. The war is over, Poland is gone. But we still have each other. Hey. Skaek's eyes fill with silent tears. We could get married, face this together, find other adventures. What do you think? The tears slide down Skarbek's cheeks and she shakes her head. No, my darling, I can't. Koweski feels flattened. Something has changed between them, but he doesn't understand what. He knows she loves him as he loves her, but there is some part of her that's now shut off from him. She leans over and grips his hand. I love you so much, but I can't marry you. I can't marry anyone. I need to live on my own terms. I don't know what it holds, but I need it to be mine and mine alone. With that, she stands, kisses his head and walks out of the hotel room. Christina Scarbeck became one of the most decorated officers of the soe, being awarded the George Medal, an OBE, and the French Croix de Guerre. After the war, she moved to England and legally adopted her cover name, Christine Granville. But she struggled with life in peacetime. She wasn't given any more intelligence work and rejected the secretarial roles offered by the British government. Later, it was said she was put in touch with former naval intelligence officer Ian Fleming and the two began a short affair. Rumor is Fleming based the character of Vesper Lynd in his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale on Skaeck. Skarbeck ended up working as a stewardess on cruise ships. In 1952, she was stalked by a rejected lover who stabbed her in a jealous rage in the lobby of London's Shelbourne Hotel. She died there aged 44. She had remained friends with Ange Kowrski and Frances Camard. When Kowrski died, still single, in 1988, he requested his ashes be interred at the foot of Skabeck's grave. Kamar attended both Skaek's funeral and the internment of Kowarski's ashes. Follow the Spy who on the Audible app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes of the Spy who ad free by joining Audible. You have been listening to the Spy who, an Audible original. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to thespywhoaudible.com a quick note about our dialogue we can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history. But our scenes are written using the best available sources so even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research. We used many sources in our research for this season including the Spy who Loved by Claire Mulley and Christine by Madeleine Masson. The Spy who is hosted by me, Indra Varma. The producer was Vespucci with writing and story editing by Yellowant. For Yellowant the writer was Judy Cooper. Research by Louise Byrne with thanks to Ine Brz. The managing producer was Jay Priest for Vespucci the senior producer was Holly Aquilina. The sound designer was Alex Port Felix Natalia Rodriguez is the supervising producer. Music supervision by Scott Velasquez for Frisson Sink for Vespucci the executive producers were Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turkan. For Yellowant the executive producer was Tristan Donovan. For Audible the executive producers were Estelle Doyle and Theodora Luludis.