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Martin shrugged. ‘Unlikely, but you never know.’
Leila sighed. ‘When Hitler was arrested back in ’24 we thought it was all over, didn’t we?’
Martin eyed Leila closely, peering over his glasses. ‘You may have hoped that my dear, but I had no such illusions. The monster was merely sleeping. Our work is just beginning in earnest now. It’s up to us, and papers like ours, to expose his evil. You have a couple of days to get prepared. My secretary will organise your accommodation. You and Edmund will go up to Berlin as soon as you can – all right?’
‘Yes…And thank you for your faith in me.’
As Leila settled into her seat on the train opposite Edmund the following Sunday, her excitement was tinged with anxiety about leaving the children. They had wanted to go to the station in Munich and see her off, but she had begged Viktor to keep them at home.
‘I’m not sure I could leave at all if I saw them there on the platform. It’s better if I can imagine them here at the flat with you and Mother, knowing they’re happy, playing safely. Do you understand, Viktor?’
‘Yes, darling. But you mustn’t worry so. I’m quite capable of looking after them. I can take Sofia to school each day before work, and Axel is thrilled to have his grandmother all to himself for several days. Don’t worry – just try to enjoy the sense of freedom, and the chance to concentrate on work and nothing else. It will do you good.’
Now, as the train pulled out of the station, Leila knew she had made the right decision. Viktor was right – the children would be fine, and she was looking forward to the next few days. She sat back, took out her notes and lost herself in her research.
On the way to Berlin, the train stopped at Nuremberg. Peering out at the bustling passengers on the platform, Leila recalled the last time she had been there, visiting Minki. What an odd time it had been, she thought – Minki’s revelation of her pregnancy, Leila offering to take the child. Looking back, she realised how misguided she had been in offering to take the baby. It was the naive gesture of a young woman who had no concept of the responsibility of motherhood. What was remarkable was that Viktor had been prepared to go along with it. Now they had two children of their own, she saw how generous he had been in even considering it.
In the months following her marriage, with so much to do and think about, Leila had lost touch with her closest friend. But when Sofia was born, she had been thrilled to receive a letter.
I heard on the grapevine that you are a mother. I can only say that your child is the luckiest child in the world.
I am now living in Berlin – quite settled and happy. I work on the women’s pages ofDeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung. Isn’t that funny? Me – writing articles about knitting and cookery. It’s laughable really, but I rather enjoy it. There is no stress at all, apart from the pressure of having to concoct these ridiculous stories. I have a wonderful little apartment, with geraniums in the window boxes. Can you believe it – me with flowers? Do come and see me if you’re ever in Berlin.
With all my love,
Minki
Leila had been relieved to get her friend’s letter. Minki sounded like her old self, she thought, cheerful and optimistic. After that, they had occasionally written to each other, but Minki never again suggested they meet. The physical distance between them was the major barrier, but sometimes Leila wondered if the disparity in their situations – one happily married with children and a career, the other unmarried, possibly still mourning a lost child – made meeting too painful for Minki.
Now, as the train rumbled north towards Berlin, Leila decided to surprise her friend and drop in on her as soon as she got there.
Once settled in her hotel, Leila studied a map and saw that Minki’s apartment was nearby, overlooking the Tiergarten, the large park in the centre of Berlin. She headed out and soon found the address. She noticed two windows on the first floor, with scarlet geraniums trailing from the window boxes. She knew in an instant that this was Minki’s apartment.
Leila rang the bell at the side of the entrance door, her heart thumping slightly. It had been six years since they had last seen each other. Would Minki have changed? Would they still like one another? What if she didn’t even want to see her? Suddenly, she heard a window opening above.
‘Hello. Who’s there?’
She looked up to see Minki leaning out of the window.
‘It’s me, Minki…Leila.’
‘Leila! Wait there. I’m coming down.’
Moments later, the main door was flung open, and out came Minki, beaming, her arms outstretched. ‘Leila…darling Leila.’ They hugged each other closely, laughing and giggling.
‘Come inside,’ said Minki, almost hauling Leila up the stairs and into her first floor apartment.
Through the tiny entrance hall, Leila followed Minki to the kitchen, where she poured two large glasses of white wine. ‘Let’s go the sitting room,’ said Minki, leading Leila by the hand. They sat together on the tiny sofa. ‘Oh, Leila, I can’t believe you’re actually here.’
Leila laughed. ‘Neither can I really. Oh, it’s so good to see you, Minki, and I love the apartment – it’s utterly charming. And you look wonderful too.’
Minki blushed with pleasure. ‘You’re too kind. I could say the same about you. So how are Viktor and the children – and what brings you to Berlin? You must tell me everything.’
The pair sat up late into the night. Minki listened happily as Leila shared the delights of motherhood and family life. Shyly, Minki shared her own news.
‘I think I’ve finally met someone.’
‘Really?’ replied Leila excitedly. ‘Oh, tell me all about him.’
