SECRETS of a FRENCH SUMMER

De: Ray Drayton

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

'SECRETS of a FRENCH SUMMER.' Chateau la Croix was a 'Safe House' during the German occupation of France in WW2. Lives of many Allied escapees were saved by the brave la Croix family who faced certain death if their secret was discovered. In present day France, Chateau la Croix guards secrets from Nazi Extremist groups intent on exposing the la Croix family. The grandson of deceased Clemence and Sebastien la Croix unwittingly assumes the role of gatekeeper to secrets within the walls of the chateau - secrets he had not been privy to, until now. Old former French Resistance members emerge to help in his quest. He is exposed to the dangerous shadowy world of the Resistance fighter... "The interior of Chateau la Croix is in darkness. Clemence la Croix flicks the safety catch of a British Webley .455 service revolver. She sits down to wait with the weapon clutched in both hands. There are six bullets in the gun. The first five German soldiers who enter the chateau will die. The sixth bullet is for her. Clemence sighs softly in the darkness with a tired resignation. Just as she has many times before. If anyone enters through the doors directly where she sits in the darkness - they will die where they stand... This is Paris, August 1944. This is the day American and French armour rolled into the French capital heralding the end of four years of Nazi occupation. The darkness has lifted. 'Gay Paree' is once again the city of light. On this day, General Charles de Gaulle requested units of US 28th Infantry march The Champs Elysees with General Leclerc's French 2nd Armoured Division at their side. They marched under one banner 'LIBERATION.' Captain Raymonde Dronne led his Free French Fighters on the victory march with heads held high, acknowledging the Gaullist Cross of Lorraine proudly draped over their tanks. The great bells of Notre Dame peel in the background while one word springs forth from every French throat - 'LIBERATION!!!" This is the day Paris had no equal in the history of war or peace... The rolling countryside of The Loire Valley is ensconced in an eerie stillness. 'The Valley of the French Kings' is bathed in a surreal purple hue in the fading daylight. "We are going to get wet, Lulu!" I call out to Lucy working amongst grape vines left of my row. "We will be okay, Monsieur Bastion. I have you to protect me from the weather gods!" Lucy's reply is accompanied by fat droplets of rain beginning to fall. Chateau la Croix is barely visible in the fading light over the vineyard. "The French Kings of The Loire are showing their displeasure!" Lucy's voice is abruptly silenced by rolling thunder shaking the ground under our feet. I grab her hand as we run towards the chateau with the strengthening wind at our backs..."