Geoff chuckled. ‘I’m too old to deal with that mayhem. Now, Angie, would you be free to help me the day after tomorrow, in the afternoon? I have something urgent needs doing.’
‘That would be fine. Can I bring Danny with me?’
‘I’ll look after Danny for you.’ Sally glanced at the children. ‘Our two are practically inseparable now anyway.’
‘Good, good.’ Geoff headed for the door, muttering to himself. ‘That’s all settled, then.’
‘Come on,’ Sally urged. ‘Let’s get this lot fed; afterwards they can go home and sleep.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Bliss!’
‘What time do you pack up?’ She followed Sally to a small kitchen in the back, which was firmly in the control of a rotund middle-aged woman.
‘Usually around twelve, but every Thursday we keep going until two. We feed the little ones and it gives the mums a longer break.’
‘Except for the helpers,’ Angie pointed out.
‘We’ve got a rota system going and this task comes around only once in four weeks.’ Sally gave her a cheeky grin. ‘I’ve put you on the list with me.’
‘Oh, thanks, I think.’
‘Are you two going to help or stand there all day gassing?’
‘Sorry, Mavis.’ Sally held up her hand in an apology.
‘This is my new next-door neighbour, Angie.’
‘Nice to meet you, Angie. I’m the cook.’ A fork was held out. ‘You can mash the spuds. Don’t want no lumps or the little ones will spit it out.’
That danger was enough to make Angie concentrate on the job until the potatoes were fluffy, with not a lump in sight.
When the children had their dinner in front of them, Sally and Angie stood back, alert for any need to rush in and avert a disaster.
‘Good heavens!’ Sally knocked Angie’s arm. ‘Did you see that?’
‘No, what happened?’
‘Emma just gave Danny a spoonful of her mashed potatoes. She loves mash.’ Sally gaped in disbelief. ‘I think she’s in love with him.’
Angie stifled a giggle. ‘And Danny, being the perfect gentleman, refused it, did he?’
‘No, he ate it.’
They howled with laughter, unheard above the noise of the children shouting at each other. All Angie’s earlier worries dissolved at that moment. Hetty was right: everything was going to turn out well. There wasn’t anything to get in a stew about. She was letting her stupid imagination get the better of her.
After they’d washed up the dishes and all the children had been collected, Angie and Sally had a quiet cup of tea. Danny and Emma were playing with the plasticine again and concentrating hard on their creations. Probably trying to outdo each other.
‘Do you think we can persuade Danny to play Joseph in the Nativity Play? Emma’s going to be in it.’
Angie nearly choked on her tea. ‘What as?’
‘Haven’t decided yet.’ Sally grinned. ‘But if Danny’s going to be Joseph, then she’ll want to be Mary!’
‘Oh, dear.’ Angie was crying with laughter. ‘I don’t think they’ll be much of an advert for domestic bliss. If we put them together, there’s liable to be a fight.’
‘I know.’ Sally’s face was glowing with amusement and anticipation. ‘Should be fun.’
Angie shook her head in disbelief. ‘Are you looking for trouble? I’m beginning to think Emma takes after you.’
‘She does.’ Sally chuckled. ‘But I grew out of it – almost.’
‘How does Joe cope with the two of you?’
‘Oh, he loves it. There’s never a dull moment in our house.’ She winked at Angie.
‘I can imagine.’ Angie glanced out of the window and saw the clear blue sky. ‘Isn’t it a bit early to start planning the Nativity Play? It’s only early September.’
‘If we don’t start soon, we’ll never get it sorted out.’ She gave Angie a hopeful look. ‘Can we drag you in to help?’
‘Why not? I can see that living here will be anything but boring.’
Sally rinsed the cups and left them on the draining board. ‘Great. I knew you were a sport as soon as I saw you.’
What a day! Angie collapsed on the settee and swung up her legs. Even Danny was tired out, and that took some doing. He’d been asleep as soon as she had covered him over. After leaving the church hall, they’d gone to Mrs Poulton for his first piano lesson, which he had enjoyed enormously. Then they’d had Emma round for tea and played a game of football with Sally and Joe.
She laid her head back, closing her eyes, a happy smile on her face. Moving here had certainly been the right thing to do. Life was going to be busy, what with the children’s mornings, typing for the Rector and piano lessons.
They had been welcomed into the village activities and were already making friends.
And then there was the Nativity Play to arrange! Angie shook with silent laughter as she thought about it. With Danny and Emma together, it could turn into a farce.
11
After four weeks in Berlin all efforts to find Cramer had come to nothing. Corporal Hunt had even managed to find some people who came from Dresden but had drawn a blank there as well. Bob stared at the paper in front of him, trying to think what to tell John and Hetty. They were going to be disappointed, but Europe was full of displaced persons. Finding anyone was an almost impossible task.
Dammit! He stood up and prowled over to the window. It was October now and soon winter would be upon them. He’d hoped to have found out something by now, anything, but he was loath to admit defeat. ‘Where the hell are you?’ he cursed out loud.
‘Sir.’ Hunt came into the room and saluted when Bob turned round. ‘Cramer: I might have something. There’s a man by that name playing piano in the lounge bar of the Bayern Hotel.’
‘Where is this place?’ A glimmer of hope at last!
‘Not too far. It’s in the Tiergarten area. I’ll show you.’
‘Are you telling me we’ve been scouring Germany and he’s on our doorstep?’
‘Never thought to look here, sir. As his home’s in Dresden, we assumed he would be there, not in West Berlin.’
‘That was stupid of us, Corporal.’
Hunt pulled a face. ‘If you say so, sir.’
‘I do. Now what time does this man start playing?’
‘Should catch him around nine, sir. But don’t get your hopes up too much. It might not be him. I didn’t go in to check because the place is mainly used by British officers.’
Bob looked at his watch. It was eight thirty. ‘It could be him. Cramer was a damned good pianist, so come on, let’s go now.’
The hotel was only fifteen minutes away by car, the way Hunt drove, and Bob strode in, taking the Corporal with him. Hunt was stared at, but, as he was with an officer, nothing was said. The sound of a piano drew them to the lounge bar and, finding a table where they could see the man clearly, they sat down and Bob ordered drinks for them.
Corporal Hunt was staring intently, a deep frown creasing his brow. ‘Is it him, sir?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Bob sat back and let the music flow over him, remembering the evenings at the Sawyers when they had listened to Cramer playing. ‘I’d know that touch anywhere.’
‘He’s good. Was he a professional musician before the war?’
‘I think he said he’d been studying to be an engineer.’ Bob sighed and watched the pianist. ‘Looks as if he’s had a rough time.’
‘Yeah, but at least he’s got a talent he can use to earn some money. I know Germany started the war, but this country’s in a mess and its people are suffering something terrible. I can’t help feeling sorry for the poor buggers.’
Bob nodded in agreement, ordered two more drinks for them and one for the pianist. Cramer ignored it when it was put before him and continued to play without even looking up after the waiter spoke to him.
‘Well, that didn’t grab his attention.’ Hunt downed his beer. ‘Looks like he could do with a good meal instead.’
&nb
sp; ‘Yes, he’s a shadow of the man he was.’ Bob sipped his beer, wondering about the best way to approach him. He saw people asking him to play certain pieces for them and decided to do the same. There was one tune Jane had always wanted.
Pushing his chair back, he stood up and went over to the piano. He stood slightly behind, watching the skill of the man’s fingers as they caressed the keys. When he stopped, Bob used Jane’s words, ‘Play “Stardust” for me, Dieter.’
The start was noticeable and Bob found himself staring into grey eyes: he was shocked by the naked pain showing on the German’s face. From side view it hadn’t been so evident, but full view it was enough to take his breath away. Dieter Cramer was thin and drawn, with dark shadows under his eyes. He recognized Bob immediately.
‘Ah, Major, you are in Berlin at last.’ He went straight back to playing, but not the tune Bob had asked for.
‘We need to talk. What time do you pack up?’
‘I can’t think what we have to talk about, Major.’
‘The Sawyers are worried about you.’ He saw Cramer tense at the mention of their name.
‘Are they well?’
‘Yes. I have a message for you from them.’
Cramer’s hands swept over the keys, his head bent in concentration. ‘I finish at twelve.’
‘I’ll wait for you.’ Bob walked back to his table. He had no sooner sat down before the haunting strains of ‘Stardust’ filled the room. Bob nodded in acknowledgement when Cramer glanced up at him briefly.
‘Ah, that’s smashing.’ Hunt studied his empty glass with a forlorn expression. ‘Is he going to talk to you, or did he tell you to sod off?’
‘He’s agreed to see me when he finishes at twelve.’ Bob decided to put Hunt out of his misery and ordered him another beer. ‘Somehow I’ve got to persuade him to return to Somerset.’
Hunt perked up when another drink was placed in front of him. ‘I thought the Sawyers just wanted to know he was all right.’
‘I’m afraid there’s more to it than that.’
‘Really?’ Hunt drank from the glass, his eyes fixed on Cramer, and then he gasped, putting the glass back on the table with a thud. ‘Hell, Major, he’s the boy’s father, isn’t he? I never noticed it before.’
‘And that’s something you’ll keep to yourself,’ Bob said sharply. ‘Cramer doesn’t know and it’s not our job to tell him.’
‘I won’t say a word. You know you can trust me, sir.’
‘I wouldn’t have brought you here if I couldn’t.’
‘If you can get him back to England, who’s going to tell him?’
‘Angie Westwood, and that isn’t going to be easy for her. She has no idea Danny’s father is German. Angie’s and Jane’s parents were killed one night when they’d gone to the local pub.’
‘Oh, God!’ Hunt had forgotten his beer. ‘She’s not going to take kindly to news like this. She loves that little boy.’
‘I believe she’s also a reasonable girl, and will do whatever is right for the child.’
‘Yeah, nice girl that.’ Hunt studied his major.
‘Awkward situation, what with you liking her yourself an’ all.’
Bob narrowed his eyes. ‘What are you trying to say?’
‘Well, sir.’ He turned the glass round and round in his fingers. ‘Once Cramer sees his son, he ain’t never gonna leave him. Awkward, as I said.’
‘I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve already told you I’m not looking for a wife!’
‘So you said, sir.’
‘But you don’t believe me?’
Hunt sat back and smirked. ‘I don’t think you believe that either.’
‘Ah, reading minds now, are you? You’re insubordinate, Corporal.’
‘I know, sir. That’s why I’m with you. No one else will put up with me.’
‘That I can believe.’ Bob controlled a chuckle. Hunt was a rogue, but the man was loyal and useful. They tolerated each other’s ways with good humour. ‘Finish your beer and disappear for a couple of hours. Come back for me at midnight.’
‘Right, sir.’ Hunt drained his glass and was on his feet immediately and heading for the door.
At ten o’clock Dieter went into the kitchen. Bob hoped they gave him a decent meal; he was clearly undernourished. When he returned and began playing again, Bob sat back to enjoy the music.
Two officers he knew joined him and the time passed quickly. When Dieter finished playing and closed the lid of the piano, Bob went over to him. ‘I’ve got a car outside. Where are you staying?’
‘Not far.’ Dieter pocketed the tips left for him and they walked out of the hotel.
The ever reliable Hunt was by the entrance. ‘Where to, sir?’
Bob glanced at Dieter as they got into the car. ‘Tell my driver where you live.’
As soon as Hunt was given instruction, they were tearing away from the hotel. In no time at all they were pulling up at a building that was little more than a ruin. Windows had been boarded up, and there was rubble all around. Very little attempt had yet been made to clear up this part of town.
‘You’re living here?’ Bob was appalled. He knew living accommodation was at a premium, but this looked like a bombsite.
‘Don’t look so shocked, Major. I’m lucky to have a room here.’ Dieter got out of the car. ‘If you don’t want to come in, then I’ll meet you somewhere tomorrow.’
That was the last thing Bob wanted. After the trouble they’d had finding Dieter, he didn’t want to risk losing sight of him again. ‘Lead on.’
Though the outside of the building was a mess, an attempt had been made to make the inside habitable. Dieter’s was a decent-sized room with a sink in the corner, a bed and two chairs. The furnishing was sparse but clean.
Sitting down in one of the chairs, Bob waited for Dieter to settle. His movements were slow, as if everything was an effort. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I am.’ Dieter eyed Bob with a hint of derision in his grey eyes. ‘Don’t pretend you care, Major. You said you needed to talk?’
‘When the Sawyers knew I was being posted to Germany, they asked if I would try to find you.’
‘Why?’
Bob could feel exasperation rising and fought to control it. Dieter Cramer was distant, defensive, and he longed to be able to tell him that he had a son who needed him. He took a deep breath, making himself relax. Dieter’s attitude was only to be expected with the man who had been his gaoler. ‘Because they liked you and are worried not to have heard from you. Couldn’t you at least have written to let them know you arrived home safely?’
‘Home!’ The word came out in a snarl. ‘Have you seen my city, Major?’
‘No,’ he admitted. ‘Tell me what has happened to you since you were repatriated.’
For the next half an hour Bob listened with mounting horror as the story unfolded about Dieter’s frantic search for any trace of his family, and he told of his utter despair at the destruction.
Dieter looked up, his eyes bleak. ‘There was just a great hole in the ground where my home had been. There are no graves, Major. Nothing to say my family ever existed. There wasn’t even a headstone I could stand by and grieve.’
The words ‘I’m sorry’ were on Bob’s lips, but how could he say that. It was totally inadequate in the face of this man’s torment.
‘Go back to England. John and Hetty would welcome you, give you a home and a chance to start a new life.’ Bob paused. After hearing Dieter’s story he wanted, even more, to be able to tell him that there was one member of his family alive – a three-year-old son. Once again he cursed the promise he had made to the Sawyers. ‘There’s more for you there than here.’
Dieter ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. ‘I could not. This dark shadow will always be with me, and I’m not sure I can forgive the nations who did this.’
Sitting forward, Bob spoke earnestly. ‘Many things have been done on both sides. Things we are ashamed of, but don�
��t forget that you were part of a bomber crew unleashing death and destruction on London and other cities. Many might find it hard to forgive you for the loss of their loved ones, but we have got to learn somehow to forgive each other. If we can’t do that, then we’ll live with this shadow for ever and not be able to move forward. Cities need rebuilding, and lives as well, and that’s the hardest part. Without forgiveness there is little hope for humanity.’
Dieter’s head was bowed while Bob spoke; now he looked up. ‘That was quite a speech, Major.’
‘I mean every word of it.’
‘I believe you do. And you are right, but it’s a damned hard thing you are asking.’
Dieter’s attitude seemed to have changed, and Bob pushed the point. ‘The Sawyers have given me enough money for your passage back to England, and other expenses. I will also vouch for you as a DP – displaced person. You have somewhere to go and a job waiting for you, so there shouldn’t be any problems.’
‘Let me sleep on it, Major.’ Dieter rubbed his eyes in a weary gesture. ‘I’ll give you my decision within a few days.’
‘Right.’ Bob stood up, disappointed not to have an immediate decision, but he mustn’t push too hard. This would take a lot of thought. He placed a hand on Dieter’s shoulder for a moment, feeling his bones through the jacket, then turned and walked out of the squalid building.
Dieter was exhausted. He undressed and slumped on the bed, too tired even to crawl under the blanket. The Major had talked a lot of sense. He’d always known him as a fair man, but he’d had no idea of the depth of his feelings. He was tough when he needed to be, like tonight, when he’d pointed out that as part of the Luftwaffe bomber crew he had played his part in killing innocent civilians. After his capture he’d seen London in flames. That guilt still lingered, even after all this time.
Turning on to his back, he stared up at the ceiling. In the gloom he could see the huge crack weaving its crazy way from one end of the room to the other. His mind went back to just after the war, when they had been allowed out to work and mix with people. Many English families had invited them into their homes, treating them with kindness. They had known how to forgive! And Jane, sweet Jane, she had loved him, even though their two countries had fought a bitter battle between them.
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