Letter from a Stranger (35 page)

Princess Irina said, I understand from Canaris that a vast number of the generals want to stop Hitler. The admiral says that they all fear he will destroy Germany from within.

Prince Kurt spoke out. He said, As head of the Abwehr there’s nothing that the admiral doesn’t know. After all, he’s in charge of German Military Intelligence. He’s already doing so much, helping people to get out. Jews, Catholics, dissidents. Those targeted by the Gestapo. He takes terrible risks. Some say it’s an open secret he’s virulently anti-Nazi. Yet he manages to play the game with Hitler, who admires him. He’s walking a tightrope. Yes, he is a good man. We must protect him, be careful what we say, and to whom. There are Nazi spies all over. None of us are truly safe.

I heard the prince cough, then he continued, I propose a toast. To Admiral Wilhelm Canaris. A true hero.
Prost!

Everyone said
Prost,
joining in the toast. Soon the voices faded away. The parlor became silent. They had gone in to dinner. I pushed my head deeper into the grate, not understanding how their voices had carried up here. But they had. There must be some flaw in the flue or the chimney. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. I just couldn’t help it. And their secrets were safe with me.

I went back to bed, lay awake for a long time, thinking about what I had heard. Their words had cheered me up, given me hope. But they had also frightened me. I didn’t want anything to happen to my friends. Especially Irina. Although she was about twenty-seven, she seemed younger sometimes. And she was impulsive and brave. And she had her own standards, she had once told me. She had also explained that the Romanov autocracy had fallen when she was six, her mother twenty-five, which was when they had fled Russia. They had lived in Lithuania, Silesia, and Poland before coming to Berlin. Despots and dictators, she would mutter sometimes. Our world ruined because of them and their thirst for power. I knew she would fight the Nazis with all of her strength. I just hoped she wouldn’t take too many risks.

Justine put the book down, astonishment written across her face. What she had just read astounded her. Obviously there had been enormous resistance to the Nazis in many quarters. Unexpectedly, she remembered once reading about the German aristocracy working against that hideous and evil Nazi regime. There had been underground movements all over Germany.

Rising, she put the book down, and left her bedroom. Running downstairs, she went into the kitchen and got a bottle of water from the refrigerator. After taking a glass, she headed upstairs; she had to read more about her grandmother’s experiences.

Thirty-nine

As she returned to her bedroom, Justine made the decision to keep reading for as long as possible that night. She had the urgent need to know more, wanted to bury herself in
Fragments of a Life.
Opening the black leather-bound book, she turned the pages until she came to where she had left off a few minutes before.

THE MARK BRANDENBURG

DECEMBER 10, 1938

I was waiting in the small study which opened off the big hall when Gretchen poked her head around the door. I hear a motorcycle, she said, it must be Markus and Anita. Immediately I put down the book I was reading, jumped up off the sofa. Gretchen had gone out into the hall. I followed her. I was excited. Anita was coming to stay for a few days. Markus had brought her out for a visit in late November; I hadn’t seen her since then. The two princesses believed it was safer here than in Berlin. I agreed with them. Gretchen was standing on the front steps. I went to join her. She was laughing. I laughed too. For the first time in weeks.

Anita was sitting on the back of Markus’s motorcycle. Bundled up in scarves and a large, green tartan beret I had brought back from London for her last year. She was wearing her very best navy blue coat. Anita had acquired a windburn on her ride from Berlin. Her cheeks were like red apples. She was holding on to her brother tightly.

The motorcycle came to a roaring stop. I went down the steps, followed by Gretchen. I think the young governess liked Markus. A lot. Whenever he brought Anita here, or took her home, Gretchen was hovering. She was a nice young woman. I liked her. I think Markus did too.

Anita, always agile, a bit of a tomboy, jumped off the motorcycle, rushed to hug me. I’ve missed you, I said. Me too, Gabri, she answered, grinned at me. As usual when she rode on the back of the bike, there was a rucksack on her back. She slipped it off and stood holding it.

Markus smiled at me and Gretchen. He asked, Where shall I park this? Gretchen said, Round the back near the kitchens. Will you stay to lunch, Markus?

Thank you. I will. Very kind of you, he answered. He roared off around the terrace to the back of the Schloss. Anita greeted Gretchen. Together we all went up the front steps and into the hall. I said to Anita, Prince and Princess von Wittingen have gone to see his mother. The children have gone too. They will return tonight. Princess Irina is here. She will see us later. She has gone riding with a friend. You’ve met her. Renata von Tiegal. She will have lunch at their Schloss.

I led Anita toward the staircase. Gretchen said she would wait for Markus at the back door, and disappeared down the corridor to the kitchen. Anita was pleased she was in her usual room. It was across the hall from mine. After she had unraveled herself from her coat and the many scarves, taken off the beret, she opened her rucksack. This is for you. She handed me a small package. I opened it, discovered my favorite marzipan fruits. Oh, thank you, Anita, I said. Hugged her.

She took a few other things out of her rucksack and put them away. The last thing she removed was her passport. She put this in the drawer too. I asked, How’s your mother? Worried, she answered. She frowned. Shook her head. She said, Mutti is worried about us living here alone. And about her sister, my aunt Leonie. She doesn’t get any better. If she dies my mother will come back to Berlin. Oh no, I said, dismayed. She can’t do that. It’s too dangerous. She’s better in Istanbul.

I know. She won’t listen to me. Or Markus. Anita sat down on the bed. She said, Berlin is more dangerous than ever. People are disappearing all the time. The man who owns the bakery shop, Herr Schroeder, told me his brother-in-law was taken. The whole family. Anita lowered her voice. The Gestapo are everywhere. A friend of my brother’s says some people’s phones are tapped.

I simply nodded. I knew things were bad. Princess Irina had been to Berlin several times. She came with horrendous stories. She, too, had mentioned phone tapping. I looked across at Anita and smiled. It faltered. Her face was suddenly glum. Her sparkly brown eyes were dull. What is it? I asked.

Do you think I can stay here indefinitely? With you? Will Princess von Wittingen let me? But aren’t you going to go with Markus to Turkey? I asked, startled. I’m waiting for my visa. It’s coming any day, Anita explained. But if it’s delayed, I want him to go by himself. I’ll join him later.

This talk alarmed me. She couldn’t travel alone. All the way across Europe to Istanbul. She hadn’t traveled very much. She wasn’t a veteran traveler like me.

She won’t let me stay, will she? Anita said, tears forming in her eyes. Of course she will, I instantly replied. I’ll ask her tomorrow. I got up, went to Anita, put my arms around her. Don’t cry, I murmured. I’ll make sure everything’s all right for you, Anita. I promise.

Hearing this brought a watery smile to her face. I know you will, Gabri. She stood up. We’d better go down to lunch. We found Gretchen and Markus sitting in the study, each drinking a glass of lemonade. Lunch will be ready in ten minutes, Gretchen announced to us. Lotte told me. I nodded. I walked over to the small side table and poured lemonade for Anita and myself.

It was Saturday, which was why Markus was not working. He sat back, comfortable in the arm chair, drinking his lemonade. He looked relaxed. Except for his eyes. I instantly noticed the anxiety in them. I asked, How is Albert Wendt? I know he’s a good boss, a true friend to you. Markus nodded, sat up straighter. He said, Herr Wendt likes me, so he helps me. That’s why I was able to come here today. He gave me the day off. I was taken aback. Oh, do you work on Saturdays now? I do. We all do, Markus replied. Munitions are vital. We’ve got to keep turning them out. We’re one of the biggest manufacturers, after Krupp.

Gretchen said, Prince von Wittingen is a roving ambassador for Krupp. Markus said, I know that. We talked about nothing much after this. Markus had clamped up. I don’t think he was now comfortable speaking in front of Gretchen, for some reason. He was usually wary. Cautious.

Lotte came and told us lunch was served in the morning room. We followed her. She had put hot dishes on the sideboard; she told us to help ourselves. We went to look in the covered dishes. Lentil soup. A pot roast with vegetables. Apple strudel. Next to the platter of apple cake stood a jug of thick cream. The four of us had bowls of soup, and then served ourselves some of the pot roast. I noticed that the others ate sparingly, as I did. Lotte came back later with a coffee pot, cream and sugar, and left us to ourselves, as she normally did.

Princess Irina returned later in the afternoon. She told me she had no real news from Berlin. The von Tiegals had remained in the country for the last few weeks. Like everyone else, they felt much safer away from the city. And from the prowling Gestapo, the SS, the swaggering ordinary soldiers who were rude and aggressive, were out to make trouble with civilians whenever they could.

That night we had a simple buffet supper in the morning room. Later we played charades. This was one of my mother’s favorite games. I kept thinking about her. I couldn’t wait to go back to my room, which she had always used. This is where I felt close to her, felt her presence acutely. It comforted me to sit in the chair she had used.

Markus left the following morning. He told Anita he would phone her every night. He always did. To reassure her he hadn’t been taken. The three of us watched him roar off on the motorcycle, looking handsome and very dashing, his scarf flying out behind him. Gretchen sighed, seemed sad to see him go. Don’t worry, he’ll be back, I murmured, and went inside.

Later that afternoon, Princess Irina came looking for me. She found me in the library with Diana, Christian, and Anita. We were playing Snakes and Ladders, the board game the von Wittingen children loved so much. Oh, there you are, Gabriele, she said, moving around the game table in her graceful way. I need you to help me with something. If you don’t mind. No, I’ll come right away, I said, jumping up.

Linking her arm through mine, in the charming, very personal way she had, we walked out together. Once we were in the hall, she cried in a hushed tone, I’ve great news! Let’s go upstairs, Gabri. I could see she was excited. We sped up the wide staircase together. Once in her room, she said, I’ve had a message from my friend C. He needs your passport. I have to take it to Berlin. You are getting your visa. You’re going to London. To your aunt Beryl. Arabella will be buying your tickets. You will go by train via Paris. Isn’t that wonderful news? I shall put you on the train myself.

It is wonderful, I said, smiling, infected by her excitement. I’ll get my passport. I hurried out, walked down the corridor. Suddenly I knew what I must do. I wanted to go to London. I was aware I would not see my parents until the end of the war, so why stay in Berlin when I could be with Auntie Beryl? But I couldn’t leave Anita stranded. She was at risk.

I stopped abruptly in the corridor, turned around and went back to Princess Irina’s room. I tapped on the door. She said come in. I did. I can’t go, I announced. What do you mean? she asked, frowning at me. I would like to give my exit visa to Anita. Markus already has his. I don’t think hers will ever come through. The authorities know that if he leaves alone, he’ll be sure to come back. Because of his sister. He won’t leave her in Berlin by herself. I think Herr Wendt, his boss, got him the exit visa, but did not request one for Anita.

Maybe that is true, the princess murmured, sat down heavily at the desk. She stared at me thoughtfully, shaking her head.

I gave her a pleading look. Will you ask C to give my exit visa to her? Please, Princess Irina. I want Anita to go with her brother to Turkey. Their mother needs them. And they are in danger.

What a selfless thing to offer to do, Irina murmured, her fixed scrutiny leveled at me.

Will C do it? I asked. I suppose he will, she said. If I explain. But how do we get her passport? Oh, she has it with her, I explained. Markus insisted she carry it with her just in case they ever had to go on the run.

Like we all do, the princess answered, her face grave. This is a very brave thing you are doing, Gabriele. Very brave indeed. But it puts you in danger.…

“So that’s what Gran did,” Justine said under her breath. Putting down the book, standing up, stretching, she walked over to the window. Gran saved Anita’s life by handing her that precious exit visa that the princess had worked so hard to get. What an act of bravery for a fourteen-year-old girl. A vulnerable Jewish girl, whose sister and parents disappeared, and who was at risk herself.

Justine leaned her head against the windowpane, and closed her eyes. Tears seeped out from under her lids, slid down her cheeks. How noble, she thought. My grandmother is the most remarkable person I’ve ever known. I wonder who else would have made that kind of sacrifice?

Could I? She did not know the answer to that. Justine wiped her cheeks with a tissue, and gazed out of the window, still stunned by her grandmother’s actions as a girl.

The ringing of her mobile phone brought her across the room to the bedside table. She picked it up, brought it to her ear. “Hello?”