The Spy Who Inspired the First Bond Girl | Don’t stop running | 2

0:00Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Spy Who ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. June 1940, Slovakia. Kristina Skarbek watches in horror as the Slovakian sergeant holds up the Black Madonna medallion in triumph. It's past midnight and she's on a bridge being held at gunpoint, along with her Polish resistance comrade, Vladimir Leduchowski. Her and Leduchowski's bluff that they're refugees trying to get back to Poland is now blown. The guards know these black Madonna medallions are the symbol of the Polish resistance group, the ZVZ. One of the guards returns from searching the river beneath the bridge.

0:47Whatever they threw into the river is gone. The guard holding the medallion shrugs. It doesn't matter. This medallion is proof enough that they are spies. Leduchowski objects. We are not spies. I've won that medallion since I was a child. Shut up. Your story is shit. And when the Gestapo get here, they will get the truth out of you. Now, let's see what else you're hiding. The guards empty the contents of Scarbeck's backpack onto the ground. A tin of peppermints, a bottle of perfume, lipsticks, then something more incriminating. Her forged travel documents, complete with her photograph. Then they find the envelope, full of the money Skarbek was to deliver to the resistance in Warsaw.

1:33One guard checks the banknotes and grins. Look! Money! Lots of money, all in different currencies. They're definitely spies. As the guards share out the cash between them, Skarbek notices Leduchowski. He's not looking at the guards, but at the nearby woods. It's only a short run to the trees. If they can distract the guards, they might just be able to get there before the shooting starts. It's risky, but better than waiting for the Gestapo. Money pocketed, the guards continue searching Scarbeck's belongings. One opens her jewellery box and pulls out her glass bead necklace. The guard aims his flashlight at the necklace and tries to work out if it's also worth stealing.

2:22Skarbek senses a chance to cause a distraction and lunges for the necklace. Get your hands off of my diamonds! Skarbek grabs the necklace and pulls. It breaks, sending glass beads tumbling to the ground. The guards slap Skarbek across the face, sending her staggering backwards. But then the guards rush to scoop up the beads they now think are diamonds. Before Skarbek can recover from the blow, Leduchowski acts. He kicks the flashlight from the guard's hand, grabs Skarbek's arm and starts running with her towards the woods. 100 yards, 70 yards, 50. Skarbek and Leduchowski charge into the woods.

3:05The guard fires, but Skarbek and Leduchowski keep running, into the trees, into the dark, until the guards are left far behind. They've escaped. But Skarbek's travel papers and her photograph are still on the bridge. And soon that photograph will be in the hands of the Nazi secret police force, the Gestapo.

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4:10That's the power of the Home Depot. Official supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Subject to availability. I heard a rumor that the CIA poisoned my granddad. Gordon Banks, the world's number one goalkeeper. It happened in Mexico, supposedly, at the World Cup in 1970. Sounds crazy? I'm an investigative journalist on the hunt for evidence. We needed to do some extraordinary things to counter the Soviets. This is Foul Play, an unbelievable tale of sports, spies and family secrets. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or early and ad-free on Audible. From Audible Originals, I'm Indra Varma and this is The Spy Who.

4:57In the last episode, Polish aristocrat Kristina Skarbek became a British spy and courier of secrets and supplies between Hungary and Nazi-occupied Poland. But after narrowly evading capture in Slovakia, Skarbek is a wanted woman. And now that France has fallen, few places in mainland Europe will be safe from the reach of the Third Reich. You're listening to The Spy Who Inspired the First Bond Girl. This is episode two. Don't Stop Running.

5:35June 1940, Budapest, Hungary. In her studio apartment, Christina Skarbek sits on the sofa that doubles as her bed sipping red wine. It's been two days since she and Vladimir Leduchowski escaped the Slovakian guards. Now they're back in Budapest, updating Scarbeck's part-time lover and Polish resistance member, Andrzej Kowarski, on their failed mission. That's when I kick the guard. He drops the flashlight and in the confusion I grab Christina and run with her into the woods. Didn't they start shooting? No, they were too busy scooping up her diamonds. By the time they fired, we were already out of range.

6:18Skarbek interjects. I suspect the money they stole from us had more to do with it. They made more from us than they would have got from delivering us to the Gestapo. Well, whatever the reason, I am glad you both escaped unharmed. So what now? I go back to Poland as soon as possible. Bleduchowski looks horrified. Christina, you can't. It's too dangerous. I don't care. Poland needs help. I'm going back. Christina, they have your photograph. The Gestapo are probably pinning up wanted posters of you all over Warsaw as we speak. And what do you propose I do instead? Sit here drinking wine? Is that your plan?

6:57Actually, I'm going to Palestine. Palestine? The Zet Vuzet are furious about the money and intelligence we lost. They don't trust you because you work for the British and think our capture was suspicious. I told them that's nonsense, but they've ordered me to join the Polish army in Palestine. My spy days are over. Did you not protest? No, Christina, I did not. I am a soldier and those are my orders. Besides, there's not anything keeping me here, is there? Leduchowski looks at Skarbek. He still longs to be with her. But he knows their moments of passion were just that, moments. He wonders what she sees in Kowalski.

7:41Is it love, or just a shared lust for danger? Not that it matters. Skarbek's lack of response only confirms that it's time to move on. So, yes, I'm going to Palestine. What about you, Ange? Will you stay in Budapest? The Polish intelligence unit has already left for Belgrade. They think Hungary will soon fall under Hitler's sway. I'm told the British may leave too. I'm not leaving, not yet anyhow. There's still plenty for me and Christina to do here. If Britain is to hold out, it will need Polish pilots. We must keep the escape lines running. Leduchowski thinks it's just as well he's going to Palestine.

8:21Being away from these two can only increase his chances of survival. A few weeks later, southern Poland. Skarbek treks alone across a field in the foothills of the Tatra mountains. She's just crossed from Slovakia into Poland. Her latest mission is to collect and escort a group of Polish pilots back to Hungary so they can go fight in the Battle of Britain. Skarbek stops to wipe her brow and notices a faint but familiar buzz in the air. A plane. And it's getting nearer. And the only aircraft here are German reconnaissance planes watching for insurgent activity. She checks her surroundings. There's no tree cover nearby.

9:09She's exposed and easy to spot from above. She starts walking fast, scanning the sky for the aircraft. She squints into the bright sun and sees it. A single-propeller Luftwaffe plane, and it's heading her way. Shit. Scarbeck sees a large rock ahead. It's only chest height, but the best option she's got. She powers towards it as the plane closes in behind her. Scarbeck dives behind the rock, narrowly avoiding a volley of bullets. She cowers in a ball as the plane passes overhead. The plane turns, preparing for another attack. Scarbeck crouches, poised to spring forward the moment the plane commits to its course.

9:51If she moves too soon, she could run into the path of its guns. If she moves too late, she'll be cut to ribbons. The plane completes its turn. Skarbek leaps off her haunches and races round to the other side of the rock, skidding to a stop and curling into a tight ball again. The ground around her explodes in a storm of bullets. Skarbek looks up to see the plane beginning to circle back again. She glowers at the aircraft. It has her trapped. The only way out is to keep playing cat and mouse until the pilot runs out of bullets or fuel. She gets back on her haunches and prepares to run again. After what feels like hours of scuttling around the rock, the pilot gives up.

10:38Scarbeck stands, forms a fist with her thumb sticking out between her index and middle fingers, and thrusts it in the direction of the departing plane. You get a fig! Having given the pilot Poland's equivalent of flipping the bird, Skarbek resumes her journey to collect the Polish pilots with fresh determination.

11:02Months later, autumn 1940, Budapest. In her studio flat, Skarbek shivers beneath a blanket. She's just got back from another mission to Poland, but this time the hard trek over the mountains has left her exhausted. and laid low with flu. She looks up as Kovarski enters the apartment. Hey kitten, how are you feeling? I'll make you a hot lemon. Kovarski heads to the kitchenette and puts on the kettle. A few moments later he returns. Here, drink up. Skarbek clasps the hot drink gratefully. Then she sees the worry on Kovarski's face. Don't worry, I'm not that ill. I just need rest. I'm glad, but it's not that that has me worried.

11:48What is it then? I just met with my friends in the Hungarian police. They told me to leave the country before it's too late. Skarbek's not surprised. Hungary just joined the Axis powers. She and Kovarski now live in enemy territory. Kovarski sits next to Skarbek. Maybe it is time we left. No, not yet. I'm expecting a package from the musketeers. I cannot leave until it arrives. There's no one else to receive it. Is this information worth the risk? If they are sending it, it matters. But if you wish to go without me, I understand. Leave without you? Never. I will stay until you are ready to leave.

12:30Now finish your drink and rest. You're no use to anyone if you're ill. Two months later, January 1941. Scarbeck Studio Flat. This is the police. Open up. Skarbek wakes with a start and shares a glance with Kovarski. They both know they should have left Budapest weeks ago. Now it's too late to run. But they have rehearsed for this moment. Open this door. Kovarski lifts himself out of bed and reaches for his artificial leg. I'm coming, but I need to put my leg on. Kovarski heads to the door while Skarbek stays under the bedsheet. What is this about? Andrzej Kowarski, you and Christina Skarbek are under arrest on suspicion of spying.

13:17We have a warrant to search this apartment. Step aside. The police march into the flat and find themselves gathered around the bed where Skarbek is still laying beneath the sheets. The police chief glares at her. Get out of bed. We need to search this apartment. Skarbek stands up, causing her bedsheet to fall and reveal her naked body. The policemen look embarrassed and avert their eyes. just as she hoped. I'll make you all some tea, but first, please turn around and allow me to dress. The policemen turn their backs to her. She grabs a dress, puts on the kettle, and enters the bathroom. After locking the door, she pulls on the dress and retrieves her diary from the medicine cabinet.

14:00As the screech of the kettle and noise of the police search fills the flat, she tears incriminating pages from the diary and drops them into the toilet bowl. Then she flushes the evidence away. What are you doing in there? Come out immediately. Scarbeck opens the door and smiles sweetly. Is there a problem, officer? Why are you flushing the toilet? Isn't it usual to flush the toilet after use? No. Forget the tea. Take them away for questioning. The policemen frog march Scarbeck and Kovarski out of the flat. Outside, a police van is waiting to deliver them to the Gestapo for interrogation. The police bundle them into the van and slam the doors shut behind them.

14:49January 1941, Budapest, Hungary. Two hours after the police arrested Andrzej Kowarski and Kristina Skarbek. In a grand house that's been repurposed as a prison, Kowarski is brought into a large room by a Hungarian policeman. The only seat is a small, uncomfortable-looking wooden chair, and next to it is an intimidatingly large man wearing a grey-green Gestapo uniform. He looks Kovarski up and down. Strip to your underpants. Kovarski unbuttons his shirt and hands it to the Hungarian policeman who examines it as if secrets lurk within it. The same happens with his shoes, socks and trousers. Kovarski notices the Gestapo man eyeing his artificial leg.

15:38Remove your leg. I'll need to sit. The Gestapo officer drags the wooden chair to the middle of the room. Now sit and remove your leg. Kowarski takes off his leg and watches as the policeman dismantles it. You won't find anything in there. The Gestapo officer and the policeman ignore him. From elsewhere in the building, Kowarski hears Skarbek coughing. She's had a cough for a few days now. At least she's nearby. eye. The policeman finishes examining the leg. There's nothing. The Gestapo officer nods. He removes his cap and jacket and rolls up his shirt sleeves, then turns to the policeman. You can leave now.

16:20The policeman looks ready to object, but then reconsiders and leaves the room. The Gestapo officer crouches next to Kovarski, close enough for Kovarski to feel the German's warm, tobacco-scented breath on his cheek. Why do you spend so much time at the British legation? Because I doubt the German ambassador would welcome me. The Gestapo officer grins, then punches Kovarski in the mouth. In a nearby room, Skarbek hears Kovarski getting beaten. She's in a small room, face to face with a thin-faced Gestapo interrogator. In the corner of the room, a Hungarian policeman watches in silence. Mrs. Skarbek, tell me, why does Andrzej Kowarski spend so much time at the British legation?

17:10Skarbek smiles before delivering the line she and Kowarski rehearsed for such a question. Because I doubt the German ambassador would welcome him. Also, the British ambassador's daughter is very attractive. Skarbek allows herself to cough. She needs to, but she also wants Kowalski to know that she's nearby. The interrogator narrows his eyes. If that is true, why do you also spend so much time there? Have you met Sir Owen, the British ambassador? I guess not. But he is rather dashing. Do you have dealings with the British? Other than flirtations, no.

17:52In the other room, Kovarski sits slumped in the wooden chair. A long string of bloody drool hangs from his busted lip. From elsewhere in the building, he hears Skarbek coughing again. The door to the room opens. Kovarski looks up and sees the Hungarian police chief who arrested him. He shouts at him. Hey, we are in the Royal Kingdom of Hungary and I am a Polish officer. Will you permit this German bastard to carry on hitting me? The police chief looks startled at the sight of Kowarski in his underpants, with half a leg missing and blood dripping from his mouth. But the Gestapo brute interrogating him looks delighted.

18:31So you admit it. You are a Polish army officer. Once an officer, always an officer. But an officer without a leg is not much use. The Gestapo officer readies a fist, only for the police chief to signal for him to follow him out of the room. The Gestapo man leans in close to Kovarski. You think you're funny? Wait until we get you over the border. In the other room, the thin-faced Gestapo interrogator hands Skarbek a photograph of herself. It's the one from the forged travel documents she lost when escaping the Slovakian guards last summer. This is you, isn't it? Skarbek coughs again, buying time to think.

19:16Well, the likeness is striking, but it seems to me that the girl in this picture is much prettier. The interrogator looks annoyed and takes the photograph back. Skarbek decides it's time to deploy the distraction she's been formulating since the interrogation began. Using all her willpower, she bites down on her tongue, harder, then harder again, pushing through pain until the flesh gives and blood floods her mouth. And then she coughs. Blood sprays from her mouth in a cloud of red mist and splashes down the front of her dress. The interrogator leaps back in shock. The Hungarian policeman in the corner springs from his seat, eyes wild with terror.

20:03How long have you been coughing blood? Have you seen a doctor? Scarbeck shakes her head as blood drips off of her chin. I didn't want to alarm my friend, but I've been coughing blood for some days now. I was about to see a specialist, but then you arrested me. The interrogator and policemen edge towards the door. They clearly think she's got tuberculosis, just as she hoped. In the other room, the Gestapo brute presses his face close to Kovarski's. Confess, you're a British spy. But before Kovarski can respond, the door opens. The Gestapo officer spins round, nostrils flaring in irritation at the interruption.

20:45But then Skarbek is led into the room. There's dried blood on her chin and splattered down her dress. Kovarski sits up. Christina, are you OK? Skarbek rushes over and hugs him. Yes, but the doctor says I'm not well. Not well at all. And you might not be either. The Hungarian policeman who led Skarbek into the room hands Kovarski his clothes and artificial leg. Get dressed. You're both being released under house arrest. You will remain at your apartment until further notice. We're not finished with you two yet.

21:22The next morning. Skarbek pulls her coat tighter around herself to stay warm. It's before dawn, and she and Kovarski are in the disused greenhouse behind her apartment building. And inside it is the Opel Olympia that Kovarski stole from a German officer many months ago. The stolen vehicle is far too conspicuous to drive around Budapest, so Kovarski's kept it hidden here. He's sure the Hungarian police have no idea it exists, so now he and Skarbek plan to use it to flee to Belgrade. As Kovarski loads the last of their suitcases into the Opel, their friend Antek appears at the greenhouse doors. He greets Skarbek with air kisses.

22:06Then Kovarski bounds over and shakes his hand. Antek, thank you for coming. What's the surveillance like out there? Light. Just two policemen, both watching the front of the building. Good, good. Antek runs his hand over the Opel's curved, sandy brown body. So this is the car you stole. I thought you just made it up. Only people who have no stories of their own need to lie, my friend. But yes, isn't she a beauty? Four cylinders, top speed of nearly 100 kilometres an hour. Provided we get a head start, the police will never catch us. Kovarski notices Skarbek rolling her eyes at them and gets to business.

22:44He hands Antec the key to his main car. So I need you to get my Chevrolet and drive it to the front of the apartment. Once there, honk the horn. That will be our signal to go. If anyone questions you, tell them that we asked you to bring the car to us. What should I do with a Chevy once you're gone? Whatever you like. It's your Chevy now. Antek grins. Thanks, and God be with you. Antek hugs Kovarski and Skarbek, then goes to get the Chevy. Skarbek opens the greenhouse doors and joins Kovarski in the Opal. Kowarski starts the engine, filling the greenhouse with the smell of exhaust. Ready to say goodbye to Budapest?

23:24Yes, I don't think I can pull the tongue trick twice. At the sound of the Chevrolet's horn, Kowarski hits the gas. The Opel speeds out of the greenhouse, then skids on ice as it turns onto the street. Kowarski wrestles with the steering wheel for a moment before regaining control. Then they're off, racing away and leaving their watchers far behind.

23:54The following month, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Outside the Hotel Majestic, Skarbek uses her umbrella to shield herself and Kovarski from the downpour as he loads cans of petrol into the Opal's boot. They arrived in the Yugoslav capital a few weeks back, crossing the border using fake passports supplied by the British. Kovarski now travels under the alias Andrew Kennedy, while Scarbeck's papers identify her as Christine Granville. But the safety of Belgrade proved illusionary. Germany, Hungary and Italy are preparing to invade. So the two spy lovers are about to follow the British and leave for Bulgaria.

24:37Kovarski loads the last can of petrol into the car and slams the boot door shut. We should go. The musketeer said there would be a courier. The Musketeers are a Polish resistance group, and Skarbek's been acting as the link between them and British intelligence for months. But Kowarski is in no mood to wait. Their courier should have been here days ago. He may have been caught. He'll be here. You know that the Zet Vuzet don't trust the Musketeers. The Zet Vuzet don't trust the British either. Or us. Skarbek doesn't reply. She's too focused on the young man walking towards them. Kovarski eyes the man.

25:16Is that him? Maybe. The man walks right up to Skarbek. He has no umbrella and his hair is sodden from the rain. Christina Skarbek? Yes? Thank God. I thought I was too late. I'm with the musketeers. Skarbek offers him a cigarette. He takes it and lets Kovarski light it for him. It's enough cover for them all to pretend he's scrounging a cigarette from them. So long as they're quick. Skarbek looks at the man. You have something for me? The courier passes her a small package of microfilm. She slips it inside her gloves. Then she notices the courier's still standing there. You should go now. Yes, but look, I don't know what's on that film, but I've been told to tell you that it's really important.

26:00It has to reach the British, at any cost. Scarbeck nods. It will, at any cost. Thank you. With that, the courier hurries away, turning up his collar to shield himself from the rain. Scarbeck senses that the musketeers must have uncovered something big this time. She and Kowarski need to get to Bulgaria without delay.

26:30The next day, February 1941. The British legation, Sofia, Bulgaria. In his office, British air attache Aidan Crawley uses a magnifying glass to examine the microfilm Christina Skarbek gave him. He wasn't sure what to make of the odd couple who turned up at the legation in a German car, but if this intelligence is for real, it's red hot. The film contains evidence of a massive German military build-up at the Soviet border. Images of tanks, Wehrmacht regiments and panzer divisions, plus a list of the petrol depots that will supply them. It seems Hitler's about to launch a surprise attack on the USSR.

27:16This is huge. If Germany attacks the Soviets, Britain would no longer be fighting the Third Reich alone. But before he sends the intel on to London, he needs to know where it came from. Crawley locks the film in his safe, then heads to the room next door where Scarbeck is waiting. Sorry for the wait. I need to ask some questions. First, who exactly are you? I am an agent for Section D of the Secret Intelligence Service. I was based in Budapest. I have a letter of introduction. Crawley checks the letter. It's from Sir Owen, the British ambassador to Hungary, and seems genuine. but Crawley also knows that Section D no longer exists.