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‘Well, try to persuade them. You can’t stay in Germany, not now. I know Julius would be much happier knowing you were coming with us.’
That evening, Leila sat her parents down and explained her reasons for wanting to leave Germany. ‘Now that Viktor has gone, I feel I must make a life for myself and children elsewhere…Switzerland maybe, or even London.’
Hannah’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Mutti, I’m so sorry – but you have to understand…I can’t get a job here, and without work how can I support the children?’
‘You mustn’t worry about money – your father and I will help you out,’ Hannah ventured. ‘Or maybe you could find a job here doing something else?’
‘What am I good for but writing? And while it’s kind of you to offer to help, it’s more than just money. We have to accept that, as Jews, we are considered “undesirable”. Things will only get worse for people like us.’
‘What do you mean –“people like us”?’ interrupted her father defensively. ‘I’m a respected member of the community.’
‘I know, Papa…but for how much longer?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. There have been Jews in Munich for hundreds of years – since medieval times. We’re not outsiders. Besides, I’m too old to leave Germany now.’
‘No, you’re not. And if you come with us, we can all be together.’
‘ButIstill have to earnmyliving – I can’t live off my daughter.’
‘Papa—’
‘No, Leila,’ he interjected. ‘You say that you must work. Well, so must I. I’ve spent a lifetime building up a successful business. I can’t leave it all behind.’
‘But you must see the way things are going. Hitler and his Party are so determined to revolutionise society…and people like us are not part of the plan.’
Leila glanced across at her mother, who nodded her head encouragingly.
‘That’s nonsense,’ replied her father. ‘They have no argument with jewellers. Some of my best customers are members of the Party.’
‘Maybe they are now, but things will change.’
‘Anyway, no government lasts forever, Leila. They’ll be voted out if the people don’t like the way they behave.’
The old man stood up, indicating that the conversation was over. ‘I’m going to bed – I’ve got an early start tomorrow. You must do as you see fit, Leila. And once you’re settled, your mother and I can visit you for holidays.’
He went out into the hall, and the two women heard Levi closing his bedroom door. Hannah shook her head sorrowfully. ‘There’s no arguing with your father sometimes. He doesn’t want to see what’s in front of his eyes.’
‘I know,’ said Leila sadly.
‘You know that I’d come with you like a shot, don’t you? But I can’t leave your father.’
‘Try to persuade him, Mutti – please?’
Two weeks later, Leila and the children were standing on the crowded platform of Munich station, surrounded by suitcases. Steam belched from the waiting locomotive onto the platform, which throbbed with people, all saying tearful farewells, Hannah and Levi among them.
The train was bound for Zurich in Switzerland. Julius and Charlotte had already boarded, but Sofia and Axel were still hugging their sobbing grandmother. ‘Look after yourselves, darlings,’ she cried. ‘And write to us when you get there.’
Leila kissed her father’s stubbly cheek, tasting salty tears. ‘Take care of yourself, and especially Mutti.’
‘Of course I will take care of her. I’ve spent the last forty years looking after your mother. Why would I stop now?’
‘And, Papa, do think about coming to join us…please? I’ll let you know when I’m settled.’
‘Yes, yes…’ Levi said impatiently, flapping his hand. ‘You’d better get on, or the train will leave without you.’
The stationmaster blew his whistle and the family scrambled up the steep steps into the carriage. Julius was waiting for them and led them to the compartment they were sharing. He opened the window for Leila to lean out.
