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‘Just spit it out, Minki, I’m busy.’
‘I’m sorry. It’s about my friend, Leila – you remember Leila…dark hair, very pretty – you met at my wedding. She’s married to Viktor Labowski, the publisher.’
‘Yes, I remember.’
‘It seems that Viktor has been arrested – charged with being an enemy of the state or something. I’m sure it’s a ridiculous mistake. I mean, he publishes esoteric authors and academics. A less treasonable man you couldn’t find.’
‘Well, he must have done something. The police don’t tend to make mistakes, you know.’
‘Oh, Joe…you know that’s not true.’ It was the old Minki speaking – the one who saw herself on the same level as Joseph, the brave journalist who stood on the sidelines observing life. But challenging him was not the way to ‘keep him onside’ and she regretted the comment instantly.
There was a long pause. When Goebbels spoke again his voice was clinical and cold. ‘I’d be very careful if I were you, Minki. You and Max are in a privileged position. But things can change, you know.’
Minki’s instinct was to answer back, but she knew that would be reckless. Nevertheless, she needed him to be clear – to spell it out. ‘So you can’t help, then.’
‘No, Minki, I can’t. Goodbye.’
She collapsed onto the stool by the phone table and sobbed, her head in her hands.
Max came through from the sitting room. ‘What’s the matter, sweetheart? Did you speak to him?’
‘Yes…’
‘And?’
‘Nothing. He won’t help.’ She looked up at Max, tears rolling down her face. ‘Oh God, Max, I hate him sometimes. How could he be so cruel?’
‘Now, Minki, don’t be rash. Joseph’s in a difficult position – he can’t go intervening all over the place. There’s a system – a process – that has to be followed. I’m sure Viktor will be all right. It’s probably just a warning. They’re rapping his knuckles…pulling him into line.’
Minki stared up at him, wiping her face with the back of her hand. ‘Do you really believe that?’
‘Well, of course I do. Don’t fuss so. You’ve done all you can. Dry your eyes and let’s have dinner. I’m starving.’
He reached down to help her up from her seat, but she pushed him angrily away.
‘Go away, Max. Leave me alone – I must think.’
‘What’s there to think about? There’s nothing you can do. You must see that.’
‘Before I met you, Max, I wouldn’t have thought twice about what to do. I’d have gone to see Joseph, begged him if necessary – done anything to help Leila and Viktor. They need my help, and I can’t desert them now.’
‘Might I remind you that marriage to me has given you stability and security, perhaps for the first time in your life. And you’re a mother now, Minki. That’s your primary job, taking care of Clara, not helping your Jewish friends.’
He turned and disappeared into the dining room, where the maid was laying the table.
Minki ran tearfully upstairs and stood at the end of the baby’s cot. Clara lay on her back, legs waving in the air, clenching her fists, making delightful gurgling noises. Seeing her mother, she reached out her hand. Minki leaned over the cot, and inserted her finger into her daughter’s grasp.
‘Hello, my best darling,’ Minki whispered. ‘You ought to be asleep.’
The child smiled up at her mother, revealing a couple of tiny teeth that were beginning to push their way through her gums. She pulled Minki’s finger towards her mouth, and bit it gently.
‘Ow,’ Minki said, smiling. But she left her finger in the child’s mouth, enjoying the sensation of Clara claiming a tiny part of her.
Her mind swirled with doubt. Perhaps Max was right. Could she really risk her baby’s safety for the sake of her friend? Max was obviously not going to help her, and now Goebbels had turned his back on her. Without their support, what could she actually do? She could go to Munich to be with Leila, and argue with the police, but would it achieve anything?
Reluctantly, she decided her only course of action was to write to Leila and explain that she had tried her best to persuade Goebbels, but that he had refused to help. Retrieving her finger from her baby’s mouth, Minki kissed her forehead and slipped quietly away downstairs to join Max in the dining room.
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