One Last Summer (2007) (8 page)
Hassan loaded her bag into the front. ‘Mr Samuel told me to tell you that you’re most welcome to join him for brandy and coffee in his dining room, but if you’d like to go straight to your room, there’s a bottle of white wine on ice and brandy on the drinks tray in the kitchen.’
‘Tell Mr Samuel he’s a very special man.’
‘I will, madam.’
As they drove slowly down the street, Charlotte turned to catch a last glimpse of Jeremy. He was standing in the doorway of his house, Luke waving to her on one side of him, Marilyn waving less enthusiastically on the other. Charlotte brushed away a single tear and took consolation in the thought that, with Laura and Claus to watch out for him, Luke would be all right.
However, the tear wasn’t for her grandson. She suspected that she had just seen Jeremy for the last time, but the sadness came from her indifference. She felt nothing. Absolutely no emotion – no pain, no joy, no sorrow – only relief that she wouldn’t have to make small talk in Jeremy’s presence or enter his cold, unwelcoming house ever again.
‘You have everything you need, Ms Datski?’
‘More than everything. Thank you, Mrs Green. I am not used to such pampering.’
Charlotte placed her diary on the bedside table, untied the belt on her robe, hung it in the wardrobe and slipped into bed.
‘Mr Goldberg thinks a lot of you, Ms Datski.’
‘As I do him,’ Charlotte smiled.
Mrs Green, who had been born Melerski, had succeeded to her mother’s post as Samuel’s housekeeper after her mother’s death. Samuel had found her teenaged mother and uncle in a displaced persons’ camp at the end of the Second World War, while searching for his wife and children. He’d never found his own family so, in typical Samuel fashion, he’d adopted someone else’s.
‘Sleep well. Shall I turn off the lights?’
‘The main light, please, Mrs Green,’ Charlotte asked. ‘Leave the bedside light. I intend to read for a little while.’
SUNDAY, 20 AUGUST 1939 (continued)
Late afternoon, my bedroom, Grunwaldsee
After Claus slipped the ring on to my finger he left me to look for Papa to ask his consent. I stayed on the terrace in an agony of suspense until Claus returned, bringing not only Papa but also Mama and his own parents. I could see at once how happy Papa was. The von Lettebergs are an even older family than ours. Mama was overcome with happiness, and she and Grafin von Letteberg couldn’t stop hugging and kissing one another and me. Claus had asked his parents for their blessing that afternoon, and his father told me they couldn’t be more delighted with their son’s choice of a bride. After they embraced me and welcomed me into the von Letteberg family, all that remained was formally to announce the engagement.
Papa wanted to go to the dining room and tell everyone there and then, but Mama insisted on waiting until supper was over and the dancing had resumed. She then left to find Greta. I think she wanted to tell her before anyone else did, because she knew that Greta had hoped Claus would ask her to marry him. Claus and I looked for Wilhelm, Paul and Peter. We found them drinking champagne with Irena, Nina and Hildegarde. Claus invited the boys to join him on the terrace for a cigarette and, although they were reluctant to leave the girls, I think they suspected something because they went without argument. When I followed outside a few minutes later, they were all shaking hands.
Wilhelm and Paul congratulated me on bringing a good fellow into the family. They have respected and admired Claus as a friend for a long time and it pleases me immensely that everyone I love approves so wholeheartedly of my future husband.
When the music started, Claus led me back into the ballroom. His ring felt strange and heavy on my finger. I was sure everyone was looking at it. I know I would have noticed if one of my girlfriends was wearing an engagement ring but no one said a word. All I could think of as we danced, all the while waiting for the music to stop so Papa could make the announcement, was how wonderful it is to love someone and to be loved in return. To want to spend your entire life with one special person. To be theirs completely and utterly as Claus and I will be to one another.
I was so excited I barely heard a word of Papa’s speech. I could tell that all my girlfriends were surprised at the suddenness of the news and envious of my good fortune in securing such a wonderful, aristocratic, handsome and well-respected man. I looked for Greta when Papa was speaking, but I couldn’t see her anywhere.
I was so proud and happy when Claus claimed a fiancé’s right to kiss me for the first time in public that I resolved to be extra kind to Greta in future. I know how heartbroken I would have been if he had chosen her instead of me. I would have wanted to die.
Papa had barely finished speaking before congratulations flooded in from all sides. Everyone asked questions. Did I still intend to go to Königsberg to study at the conservatory? (Herr Schumacher.) How soon we will be married? (Irena.) Are we were going to have an engagement party? (Peter and Nina.) Papa caused a lot of laughter when he invited everyone to stay for breakfast. He said it would be less trouble to hold a breakfast engagement party than organize another ball.
We could have done so because no one left before dawn. While the servants were serving soup to our departing guests Papa switched on the radio. The orchestra was packing up and I think he was hoping for some light music to send everyone on their way, but there was only news. Bad news. Polish troops are massing on our borders. Georg said Germany will not stand by and watch foreign aggressors point their weapons into the heartland of Germany. It can mean only one thing. War.
Papa upset everyone when he said, ‘No good can come from war.’ It sounded unpatriotic and disrespectful to the Führer. Everyone knows that although Papa was one of the first to join the National Socialist Party he was also a Freemason for a few months when he was a young man. The Party officials said they forgave him and would make an exception in his case, but even I can see it would be better if Papa didn’t question the Führer’s policies quite so much.
Mama tried to smooth things over by explaining that Papa lost many close friends during the last war, and there were a few murmurs of sympathy, including one from Grafin von Letteberg. I like her very much already.
While everyone discussed the inevitability of war, Claus locked himself in Papa’s study to telephone his commanding officer, and I realized I will no longer be able to ignore politics. Not when my future husband is an army officer. When Claus returned he confided that his superiors believe the army will soon be ordered into Poland to put an end to the aggression. Georg overheard him and repeated the Führer’s assertion that it is unfair that we Germans have to battle for the land and living space that is our birthright. Unfortunately, Manfred heard Georg and started a long, boring political discussion about land and common good and each taking according to his need not his wants, which ended in a fist-fight between Georg and Manfred.
Why do stupid boys think they can change someone’s views by beating them senseless? Thankfully Claus broke it up before it became too serious – or noticeable. I am glad Claus never discusses politics. I think he believes that as an army officer he should keep his opinions to himself.
After the guests left, Papa, Mama, Claus, his parents and I breakfasted in the small dining room. Greta went to bed. She said she was tired but I know she couldn’t bear to see me so happy with Claus. I felt sorry for her when she went upstairs alone.
In view of the worsening situation between Germany and Poland, Claus asked Papa’s permission to marry me right away. He has three weeks of his month-long summer leave left, and he wants to spend as much of it as possible as a married man. Of course I agreed, but Papa was very reluctant to give his consent. He was hoping for a long engagement and suggested we wait at least a year. It was very forward of me, but I reminded him that Mama was married at my age. He argued no more after that.
I love Claus so much I cannot bear the thought of life without him. If we are truly man and wife, it may be a little easier for me to endure the weeks, perhaps even months of separation that will come if war does break out. I wish he was anything but an army officer. I cannot bear to think of him being hurt or killed in battle.
Claus was so persuasive that, in the end, Papa and Mama agreed to hold the wedding as soon it can be arranged. Papa sent for the pastor. He came at once, thinking that there had been a tragedy. How we laughed at the expression on his face when he realized it was a wedding not a funeral that we wanted him to conduct. So, next Saturday morning in Grunwaldsee chapel, I will become Claus’s wife.
As soon as the date was fixed, Mama and Grafin von Letteberg began panicking about clothes, guests and arrangements, but Claus said he wanted the wedding to be a simple and small one. Just family and a few close friends. I agreed with him. Our future life together is what is important, not wedding dresses, flowers and cold meats for the guests. But I doubt we’ll get our way. Grafin von Letteberg and Mama have already compiled a list of over two hundred people they say it is essential to invite.
Afterwards Mama wanted me to rest, but I told her I wasn’t tired. Claus invited me to go riding with him. I knew Mama thought it wasn’t right for me to be alone with Claus, although we will be married in less than a week, but Papa knows Claus is an officer and a gentleman. He gave his permission and, while Brunon saddled the horses, I changed into my riding clothes.
We rode down to the lake. There were many things Claus wanted to discuss with me. Like where we will honeymoon. He suggested the Grand Hotel in Sopot, my favourite hotel in all the world. I love the way the dining room opens on to the beach. I told him that if I could design a perfect place for a honeymoon, the Grand Hotel and Sopot, with its fashionable crowds and gardens, would be it.
Claus said he will telephone and try to book a suite overlooking the sea, but it will be difficult because it is the height of the summer season. Afterwards, if there is time, we will return to his family’s home, Bergensee. A home, he reminded me, that will be mine this time next week.
I didn’t want to consider what I will do after he leaves to rejoin his regiment, but he insisted that I make plans. We agreed there is no point in my continuing my studies at the conservatory in Königsberg. I can practise the piano just as well at home, and Claus believes that when war breaks out the universities will have to close because so many young men will be enlisted into the army. As reservists Wilhelm and Paul will be among the first to be called up. They told us so after the news broadcast.
It was eventually decided that after our honeymoon I will return to live at Grunwaldsee. If war does break out, some of our workers will have to join the army, so Papa will need my help to exercise the horses and manage the farm. I will be busy, but, as I told Claus, not happy. Not without him.
I had hoped that he would kiss me again, but all he did was hold my hand and run his thumb over my ring finger. When I dared to kiss his cheek, he smiled and said there would be plenty of time for that sort of thing after we were married. Until then he feels honour-bound to respect Papa’s wishes and my reputation, and I love him all the more for it.
He began to talk about children and said he hoped we would have a large family, but Brunon interrupted us. Although it was a Sunday, Mama had sent the car to fetch the dressmaker. I have only just finished the fitting. Mama’s wedding dress is to be cut down for me. Greta was furious, because she is taller than me, it means that she won’t be able to wear it when she gets married, but, as Mama said, Greta will have more time for planning than me, so she will be able to have one made to fit her.
I am tired now. It is late afternoon. Claus is coming in two hours to take me to the church to talk to the pastor about the wedding and what marriage means. Before then I must try to sleep a little, but, exhausted as I am, all I can think of is my beloved Claus, and how wonderful it will be to be his wife.
I am excited, happy and just a little, a very little, afraid. Mama came to my room to talk to me. She told me it is a wife’s duty to submit to her husband’s every wish, and that means in the bedroom as well as the drawing room. I know what she means, because Nina is always talking about sex. Hildegarde says no nice girl likes the horrible things men want to do, only bad girls who go with men for money. When I think of Claus, all I know is that I want to please him in every way I can. I do so hope and pray that I will never disappoint him, or make him unhappy, and that if there is a war, God will keep him safe for me.
Samuel waited until Charlotte had checked her luggage into the Lufthansa desk before giving her a bear hug. ‘Glad to be leaving the London suburbs?’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘but I’m not glad to be leaving you, Samuel.’
‘I hope you find what you’re looking for in Poland.’
‘Thank you.’ Charlotte kissed him on the lips for the first time.
He lifted his fingers to his mouth. ‘If you had done that sixty years ago our lives might have been very different.’
‘Fate meant us to be good friends, Samuel.’
‘Take this.’ He thrust an envelope at her. ‘What is it?’ She turned it over.
‘My top secret telephone numbers, including my mobile.’
‘I have them.’
‘I know, but I thought you should keep them in your passport together with instructions to contact me in case of an emergency. Your sons are busy people. Claus will have his wife and new baby to care for. You and Laura may need help.’ He shrugged. ‘I know people.’
‘I don’t doubt you do, even in Poland,’ she replied.
‘There, too, I can smooth things over and get things done.’
‘Samuel.’ She embraced him again. ‘What would I have done if I’d never met you?’
‘I know what I would have done.’ He lifted her hand luggage from the trolley and handed it to her. ‘I will see you again, Charlotte, either in this world or the next. Oh, and if you should get to the next before me, look for my wife. Her name is Taube. She should have the boys, Shlomo and Simcha, with her, and baby Lola. I don’t know if children grow up there but Lola was a real stunner; only one year old but such black eyes and a mop of hair.’ He fell silent. Charlotte recognized that stillness. She indulged in it herself when she allowed herself to remember. He glanced at her and returned her smile.
‘Tell Taube I’m on my way and warn whoever’s in charge of the catering up there that I like my brandy strong and my coffee weak with lashings of whipped cream.’
‘Mutti, it is good to see you looking so well.’
Erich sat at the head of the dinner table and raised his glass to his mother. ‘To your continued good health.’
‘Thank you, Erich.’ Charlotte touched her glass to his. ‘And thank you, Ulrike. This is a splendid table and I’m sure the dinner will be very good.’
‘Our new Indonesian cook is excellent.’ Ulrike patted her immaculate hair nervously before fiddling with her plate and cutlery. ‘How was Claus when you left America?’
‘Happy with Carolyn, looking forward to the arrival of the new baby. They intended to give me a letter,’ she lied diplomatically, ‘but I left so suddenly they didn’t have time to write.’