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Twenty minutes later, Leila found herself in the colonel’s office with a handful of Potter’s senior staff.
‘Our job,’ the colonel began, ‘is to carry out a programme of cultural reconstruction, throughout the American occupation zone. To that end, I’m delighted to introduce you all to Major Labowksi, who has vast experience of advising governments about the lives of women and children. She’s been recruited by the American army to investigate the predicament of women and children in post-war Germany, and present a report on what form that programme of reconstruction should take. Would you like to say a few words, Major?’
Leila blushed to hear herself described as having ‘vast experience of advising governments.’ Her occasional meetings at the Foreign Office had always felt rather inconsequential.
‘You’re very kind, Colonel,’ she began hesitantly, ‘and I appreciate your faith in me. It is true to say that I have made a particular study of the issues affecting women in Germany. But I’ve been away from my country for over a decade and, in order to really find out what’s going on, I’m going to need to meet people – in particular, the women and children you speak about. Before I write my report, I need to go on a fact-finding mission all over the country. How else can I work out how best we can help them?’
Colonel Potter studied her for a few moments. ‘All right, Major. But I’ll need to clear it with the general. If he approves it, I’m on board.’
43
AUGSBURG
October 1945
Minki was sewing buttons onto one of Willie’s shirts in the sitting room one evening when the phone rang. She picked up the receiver in the hall, but the line was poor. ‘I’m sorry,’ she shouted, ‘but I can’t really hear you.’
Eventually, a voice came through the static. ‘Minki…it’s Leila.’
‘Who?’
‘It’s LEILA!’
‘Leila! Oh, my goodness. How are you?’
‘I’m all right…and I’m in Augsburg.’
‘In Augsburg? How, why?’
‘It’s a long story. I’m in the American army.’
‘What?’
‘I’m in the ARMY! Working for the Americans. Can I come over…now? I’ll be there in about half an hour. Or is it too late?’
‘No, no of course not. Come now.’
‘Thanks, and I’ve got a driver – can you put him and me up for the night?’
‘A driver? Leila, I don’t really understand, but yes, of course we can.’
Minki put down the phone, and ran to her father’s study. ‘Papa, you won’t believe this, but my old friend, Leila…you remember her? Well, she’s in Augsburg and is coming to stay the night.’
‘How delightful,’ replied Gunther. ‘I’ll get some wine from the cellar.’
They had recently found a new housekeeper – an older woman who had been widowed in the war, and needed a job and a place to stay. Rushing to the kitchen, Minki found her cleaning the range. ‘Heidi, Heidi, can you stop what you’re doing, please. I’ve got two guests arriving any minute. Can you run upstairs and make up two beds – two different rooms?’
Minki quickly prepared a simple meal for her guests – some cold meat, bread and beer – and then busied herself in the sitting room, stoking up the fire and plumping the cushions. Finally, she heard the whine of an engine. She went outside to see an open-topped jeep roaring up the drive, scattering gravel. Minki ran towards it, arms outstretched. ‘Leila, Leila…’
Leila was so thrilled at seeing her friend that she didn’t even bother to open the door of the jeep, but instead hitched up her tight army skirt and jumped out. ‘Minki, Minki!’
The two women fell into each other’s arms, while the jeep driver carried their bags inside the grand entrance hall, where Leila made the introductions. ‘Minki, this is Corporal Harding, my driver – otherwise known as Joe. Joe, this is my friend Minki vonZeller.’
Harding, who had been looking around, wide-eyed, held out his hand. ‘How do, ma’am…It’s a great house – like something out of the movies.’
Minki smiled. ‘Joe, let me take you to the kitchen, where you can get something to eat, and then our housekeeper, Heidi, will show you your room.’
When Minki brought Leila through to the sitting room, Gunther was waiting by the mantelpiece, a fire glowing merrily in the grate. ‘Leila, my dear girl – how wonderful. I couldn’t believe it when Minki told me you were on your way. I don’t think we’ve met since Minki’s wedding.’
