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Forbidden Liaison: They lived and loved for the here and now

Page 15

by Smith, Patricia I.


  They lay in each other’s arms, their breathing soft and in unison, Izzy’s naked body pushed against Heinrich’s. He could feel her breasts against his chest, her belly against his belly and her groin against his groin. Izzy felt another little flutter but said nothing. It appeared not to like its mother excited. She had disturbed it too much, and it appeared it didn’t take kindly to its father interfering with its mother.

  ‘I love you,’ Heinrich whispered.

  ‘And I love you,’ Izzy smiled.

  ‘I wish I could make things right,’ he said.

  ‘It would take more than you to make everything right, unless you’re a miracle worker,’ Izzy replied.

  ‘Is there anything you need: want,’ Heinrich asked. ‘Anything that I might be able to do, or get for you?’

  ‘I would like to see my mother,’ Izzy replied.

  ‘Has she not contacted you yet?’

  ‘No,’ Izzy sighed. ‘Not even written me a letter.’

  ‘Would you like me to go up there?’ Heinrich asked.

  ‘That would be like fanning the flames of an already enormous bonfire,’ Izzy remarked.

  ‘Yes, I suppose it would,’ he conceded.

  There was a sudden noise coming from the landing. It was the men coming back from their shift. Izzy sat up as Heinrich got out of bed to dress. He was just pulling on his boots when a knock came at the door. Izzy smiled as Heinrich put his forefinger up to his mouth as if telling her to be quiet. ‘What is it?’ he shouted, as he put one arm inside his tunic jacket.

  ‘It’s Steiner, Sir, could I have a word?’

  ‘I’ll be down in a minute, wait in the kitchen.’

  ‘Yes, Sir,’ they heard him reply before he stomped off down the stairs.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Even though Izzy had said for Heinrich not to interfere, the following morning Heinrich decided to do something about the deadlock between Izzy and her parents. Although Izzy had seemed happy enough to lean on Margaret and Harry over the past few weeks, he knew she still needed her mother to be part of her life. He ordered Steiner to be outside waiting with the car at six thirty, so after breakfasting he left the town to travel along the coast road to the farm. The sea was rough, and the skies overcast, rain was coming. He spotted a German supply ship making its way to the docks, laden with food, mail and other goods for the troops, and he wondered if the authorities would let another Red Cross ship call again with parcels for the islanders.

  They arrived at the farm as it started to rain. Steiner was about to get out of the car but Heinrich told him to stay put.

  ‘Will you be long, Sir?’ Steiner asked, turning off the engine. ‘Because, as you know, my orders were to take you to the Major’s office first thing this morning.’

  ‘No, and what are you? My Mother?’ Heinrich retorted sarcastically.

  ‘Sir, you should not be interfering,’ Steiner said, knowing there would be a back-lash, if not from the Major, their commanding officer, it would most certainly be from Izzy.’

  ‘Just mind yours, and I will mind mine, Steiner,’ Heinrich commented as he got out of the car to slam the door shut then dash across the yard only for his boots to pick up mud as he went.

  There was a small overhang of a wooden canopy over the kitchen door and as he reached it he banged on the door wanting to get in out of the rain. As Hannah answered, Heinrich immediately stepped in to take the cap from his head to shake the water from it.

  ‘What do you want?’ Heinrich heard Sydney shout from across the room.

  ‘To speak with your wife,’ Heinrich replied standing just beside the door which he had closed as the rain, which was now falling in sheets, was sweeping inside to pool on the quarry tiled floor.

  Hannah’s face took on a deep frown.

  ‘She’s done nothing, so why do you want to talk to her?’ Sydney asked.

  Heinrich’s eyes rested on the breakfast table. ‘How did you acquire that butter?’ he asked raising his eyebrows.

  Hannah was almost in tears as she knew the cream needed to make it had been skimmed off a few churns.

  ‘We did an exchange for it,’ Sydney said.

  ‘Really?’ Heinrich asked looking at Hannah again. ‘For what?’

  ‘Some vegetables,’ Sydney replied. ‘Vegetables Hannah grows,’ he added.

  ‘Yesterday we found the tally was short of a few pints of cream. It was noted a small amount had been skimmed from a few churns in the hope it would not be noticed,’ Heinrich replied still looking at Hannah.

  Hannah became agitated.

  ‘I will have to take you down to headquarters for further questioning,’ Heinrich said, still looking at Hannah.

  ‘You leave her alone,’ Sydney shouted.

  ‘I am not touching her, but would you kindly get your coat and anything else you wish to take,’ Heinrich asked still looking at Hannah.

  Sydney walked towards Heinrich and stood directly in front of him. ‘Cowards, that what you lot are, intimidating women, is that all you’ve got to do?’ he seethed.

  ‘I would be careful of what you say, old man, because from what I’ve heard, you are not averse to throwing your weight about yourself,’ Heinrich remarked.

  As Hannah appeared in her coat, her handbag hung from her left wrist, Heinrich smiled at her. ‘You will need an umbrella, it’s raining heavily out there,’ he said.

  Sydney suddenly shoved himself between his wife and the Oberleutnant. ‘You’re not taking her anywhere,’ he said.

  Heinrich quickly unclipped his side arm and Sydney took a step back. ‘If you don’t stop making a nuisance of yourself, I will arrest you too, and then who will milk the cows?’ Heinrich asked.

  Sydney stepped away. Heinrich opened the door to let Hannah out first, then they both hurried across the expanse of mud to the waiting car where Hannah sat in the back with Heinrich next to her.

  Heinrich quite liked Hannah, she reminded him of his own mother and thought they might get on well if they ever met properly. But Sydney? Heinrich knew Sydney would never accept him, no matter what he did, or said to bridge that chasm of bigotry and prejudice that had begun over twenty years before, at the start of the Great War. But this war was different, his country had shown unfairness and intolerance, but the whole picture of what was happening to those discriminated against was yet to be uncovered. And Heinrich? He carried out his orders knowing that he could be sent off to fight another day, if not die another day, so he had come to accept the here and now, how else could they all live? He wondered again what he was fighting for, would there be a better world when the smoke and fire had died down and the bullets had stopped whizzing about his head. No one could plan for anything, not even for the day the war ended. But even after the euphoria of the war ending, would a better future begin? Heinrich wanted a future, but knew it would perhaps be harder and tougher than any battle he had fought, or was about to fight.

  The drive back to town was silent and uneventful, and when they reached the harbour where the supply ship had finally docked and the stevedores were off-loading crates in the pouring rain, Steiner turned off towards the town hall; army headquarters, but instead, Heinrich ordered him back to the billet. Steiner objected, but only for a little while, as Heinrich was about to formally charge him with insubordination. Steiner said no more until he had parked the car outside the hotel.

  ‘What now, Sir,’ he asked.

  ‘Mind your own damned business,’ Heinrich shouted as he opened the car door to let Hannah out.

  The look of apprehension had disappeared from Hannah’s face, to be replaced by an expression of total astonishment at what was happening.

  As the rain beat down on their heads Heinrich said, ‘Would you like to see your daughter? Izzy has said she would like to see you.’

  Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I’ve wanted to see her for such a long time. How is she?’

  ‘She’s very well, go inside and I will come back for you in a few hours,’ Heinrich s
miled.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said and began to walk through the gate towards the front door.

  Heinrich got back into the car to Steiner’s protests about keeping the Major waiting and to make up time, he set off at breakneck speed, only to lose control as the back wheels spun on the wet, slippery tarmac, careering the car towards a garden fence. Steiner quickly turned into the skid, to eventually right the careering vehicle, pulling the car away from disaster.

  Heinrich found the Major pacing up and down his office when he walked in.

  ‘Where the hell have you been, Oberleutnant? You were given orders to be here at seven, it is now eight twenty five,’ the Major shouted as he looked at his watch.

  ‘Problem with the milk tally up at the Marshall farm. All sorted now, Sir,’ Heinrich explained.

  ‘Jesus,’ the Major groaned. ‘I am a professional soldier who’s only highlight of any day is to find discrepancies in the food tallies. What is this world coming to?’ he murmured.

  Heinrich just stood to attention.

  ‘You’ve heard about those British sailors and marines whose bodies were washed ashore yesterday after being torpedoed by one of our submarines?’ the Major said as he sat down.

  ‘Yes, Sir,’ Heinrich replied. ‘Steiner informed me. Twenty in all, I’ve been told.’

  ‘The Kommandant has ordered that all of them be given a burial with full military honours. All officers along with a unit of troops will attend: wreaths will be laid, and the islanders have been informed they may attend. We are expecting the whole island to turn out, so, get out that Iron Cross and give it a polish, Oberleutnant.’

  ‘Yes, Sir, what time is the funeral to take place?’

  ‘Ten sharp in the morning. I’ll be attending with the Oberst and the other top brass. You will command the troops on parade. Give them a work-out first thing, they’re getting lazy and far too comfortable living here.’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘Dismissed,’ the Major said as he picked up a pile of papers to look through. ‘Oh, and I hear your mistress is now living at your billet.’

  Heinrich sighed, the Major probably knew the exact times they made love. No one could do anything without someone else finding out. Although his affair with Izzy had been in the open for some time, they had tried to keep it to themselves.

  ‘And how is Fraulein Dubois?’ Heinrich asked. ‘Still looking after that demented mother of hers?’

  The Major look intently at Heinrich, ‘It’s like being back home, isn’t it, a snoop on every corner. But life is a bit more civilised here, don’t you think?’

  ‘I can’t complain,’ Heinrich replied.

  The re-union between Hannah and Izzy proved tearful, even more so as Hannah had not seen her sister, Margaret, for some time either. They had always been so close they were inseparable, but Sydney had driven his bulky wedge between them which made Margaret angry and bitter: Harry just felt sorry for the man. Hannah, surprised at Harry’s recovery, was even more shocked when she saw her daughter for the first time in a few weeks. She looked so blooming and happy. Hannah just stood smiling after embracing and kissing her daughter: she couldn’t wipe the grin from her face. Izzy then took Hannah up to her room to show her where she supposedly slept, while Harry made a fire in their living room and Margaret went to make tea and toast. But Hannah was under no illusion that her daughter probably spent as little time in there as possible.

  ‘So you’ve been given the box-room,’ Hannah said.

  ‘Not exactly, Mum, I just pretend to live in here. I share the best hotel room in the house,’ she replied, taking her mother’s hand to go across the landing into Heinrich’s room. ‘I share this with Heinrich,’ Izzy said.

  Hannah looked around. ‘I’ve always like this room,’ she said. ‘It has a sea view. Well almost has a sea view, if you count craning your neck and standing on tip-toe to get a look,’ Hannah responded. Izzy laughed as Hannah moved around the room. ‘Are these his children?’ she asked picking up the framed picture that always stood on the chest of drawers.

  ‘Yes,’ Izzy replied. ‘The older one is Hilde, and the younger girl, Heidi.’

  ‘They’re pretty little things, aren’t they?’ Hannah sighed, then she looked at her own daughter.

  ‘Don’t start, Mum, please,’ Izzy asked.

  ‘Did you know I was coming here to see you?’ Hannah asked.

  ‘No, I asked him not to interfere,’ Izzy replied.

  Hannah snorted. ‘Like all men; always do as they are told.’

  Izzy laughed. ‘Mum, I want to show you something,’ and she dipped her hand into Heinrich’s top drawer to pull out the drawings to hand them over to her mother.

  Hannah slowly looked through them. ‘That’s the lighthouse,’ she said, ‘at Corbiere.’ Then she looked at the other scenes of eye-catching beauty that were dotted around the island. Then she came to the ones of Izzy. She was fine until she came to the nude of her reclining on the bed, then the other one where she was standing naked, her breasts pertly protruding.

  ‘Don’t you think they’re good,’ Izzy asked.

  ‘Yes, they’re really good, but you let him see you with nothing on,’ Hannah said shocked.

  ‘Yes,’ Izzy frowned

  ‘Did you pose for them?’

  ‘No, he drew them from memory.’

  ‘Do you always let him see you naked?’

  ‘Yes, doesn’t Dad see you naked?’ Izzy asked.

  ‘No, he most certainly does not,’ Hannah said horrified. ‘He’s never once seen me naked, and I have never once been naked when in his company.’

  ‘Not even in bed?’ Izzy asked.

  ‘No. not ever. Did Alain see you naked?’

  ‘Yes,’ Izzy replied. ‘We liked to strip off outdoors, let the sun and fresh air beat down on our skin.’

  ‘Izzy,’ Hannah said alarmed. ‘What if someone had seen you?’

  ‘If they did we never got to hear about it,’ Izzy replied.

  Hannah sat in the armchair in the bay. ‘I’ve missed you, Izzy,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve missed you too, Mum,’ Izzy replied as she sat on the hard wooden chair by the table.

  ‘And how is… treating you?’ Hannah asked.

  Izzy took hold of her mother’s hand. ‘His name is Heinrich, I wish you’d say it, Mum.’

  Hannah closed her eyes, she wanted to ask so many questions: try and understand the situation. But to Izzy and Heinrich the situation was perfectly simple, or was it? Hannah knew the very complicated situation would end in unhappiness and disappointment.

  ‘When do you have to go?’ Izzy asked, not wanting to talk about the, what ifs, it was the here and now she was interested in.

  ‘Heinrich said he would take me back home,’ Hannah replied. There, she had said his name. Perhaps that was the first step to accepting him as a person, and the lover of her daughter. It was. She had to accept it or ignore it, and she couldn’t ignore her daughter indefinitely. Sydney had made her so unhappy by insisting she never saw her again. Now she had seen her, she knew she would have to see her again, and nothing; no one; would stop her doing just that.

  ‘Those things in your room, is that all you have?’ Hannah asked.

  ‘Yes, Margaret’s been trying to get hold of certain things, so has Heinrich, but most of my belongings were ruined when the cottage was broken into. And I do need some new underwear,’ Izzy replied. But she knew she’d need more than underwear in a few months’ time if things carried on the way they were. She had worked out she was probably about three months pregnant and sooner or later Heinrich was bound to notice she wasn’t menstruating any longer.

  Hannah picked up the large bag she had put by her feet. She opened it to pull out a cardigan she had knitted and gave it to Izzy.

  ‘Mum.’ Izzy gasped. ‘This is lovely.’

  ‘I knitted it when your father wasn’t around as I knew he’d make some comment about me wearing such a bright colour. I’d knit more but I can’t get the
wool.’

  ‘It’s beautiful: very yellow,’ Izzy remarked smiling.

  ‘That’s the only colour they had in the shop.’

  Izzy got up. ‘Come on let’s have some tea and toast. Smells as though Harry’s burnt it again,’ Izzy laughed.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Heinrich sat on the bed reading his mail when he returned after taking Hannah home to the farm. Sydney had been waiting on the doorstep, worry lines set deep across his brow. Hannah being gone for a few hours had struck fear into that hard, crusty heart that lay inside that thick, weather-beaten exterior. Heinrich had said not a word, he just watched as Hannah went in and Sydney shut the door behind them.

  Izzy was having a bath when Heinrich returned to his billet later that night, and as she entered the bedroom Heinrich looked up from the letter he was reading. It was from his mother, and he looked worried. Izzy asked him if everything was alright, but he didn’t answer for a second or two until he stood up.

  ‘Come here,’ he smiled. ‘Sit on the edge of the bed and I will dry your hair.’

  Izzy sat down, wrapped in her heavy, but warm, candlewick dressing gown. ‘Do you want to tell me about that something in your mail which is bothering you?’ she asked.

 

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