Summary

In Chapter 3, in January 1939, “the Retreat began” (47). Terrified of the Nationalist troops “advancing down from Tibidabo,” soldiers and civilians fled “toward the French border” (47). Victor evacuated the wounded. Then he asked Aitor to take his motorcycle and help Carme and Roser escape. He arranged for Elisabeth to “be their contact point” in France (48).

Carme resisted joining Aitor. She did not believe Franco’s men would harm her or her boys. She preferred to die in her own home than live “in exile” (49). Because of Roser and her unborn child, Carme finally gave in. The three set out from Barcelona with “thousands of people” processing through the cold (50). The refugees did not know “a campaign of fear and hatred awaited them” in France (51).

During the journey, Carme disappeared in the middle of the night. Although Aitor tried finding her, he and Roser...