The Fragile Hour (15 page)

“
I’ll do as you say.”

“
Just inform the right quarters that an important delivery is to be made early Wednesday evening.”

Anna
guessed immediately that sections of the great gun would be arriving. “I’ll do that tomorrow.”

“
Good.” He smiled approvingly. “Now that’s settled I’ll tell you how lucky I was. As you know yourself, it was so quiet in the church that I heard when a truck drew up in the road. Then came the crash of boots as soldiers jumped out and I knew I’d been found. I threw on my coat and as they came rushing up the path, I started thumping on the door with my fists, yelling to be let out.” He laughed quietly. “It must have surprised them, because when they threw open the door to seize me, I expressed my relief and thanked them for rescuing me.”

“
That was brilliant! Did they believe you?”

“
Not at first. Their officer questioned me and I said I’d been at the wedding, but as there was no reception through the German ban on any gathering of people, I had stayed to look round the church. That’s when I had been accidently locked in. Your travel pass saved me, showing that I’d had permission to travel.”

“
Thank God for that! Did you know one of your fellow saboteurs was taken?”

He
nodded, guarding his expression. “He and I came face to face as he was taken away, but neither of us showed any sign of recognition. Nobody does in those circumstances.”

Anna
felt heartsick at what that man’s fate would be, but somehow kept an empty smile on her lips. She listened intently as Nils went on to tell her how he was taken to the wedding couple’s home to be identified as someone known to them and to their families.

“
I was certain that was the end, because they wouldn’t know my name, but by sheer chance, the bridegroom’s father remembered me from the district ski events before the war. ‘That’s Nils Olsen,’ he said. ‘I saw him at the wedding.’ Then, because he could see I was in serious trouble, he added, ‘He was there by invitation.’”

“
Oh, Nils! That was luck indeed!”

“
I still wasn’t released. They kept me in custody overnight and took me to Molde next day for further identification from a German officer with whom I’ve done business. It was only then that they released me.”

Anna
knew that the waltz would soon be coming to an end and there was still much more to say. “I won’t be at the jump tomorrow to cheer you on, but make sure you win.”

“
I will,” he promised confidently. “I would have liked more time to get into my stride, although I had some practice runs today. I enjoy a challenge, as you know. The tougher the better.”

“
You always were spurred on by stiff competition, especially where girls were concerned,” she agreed with a laugh.

“
True,” he admitted with amusement. “But don’t rake up my past, Anna. That was all before our summer together.”

It
gave her an opportunity. “That was only July and August. Two months, Nils. A fleeting, happy time.”

“
But not forgotten by either of us. I had competition then, I recall.”

“
Not really. I just couldn’t believe you’d changed your attitude towards me at last. That’s why at first I continued to keep dates with somebody else.”

“
But not for long.” His clasp on her tightened lovingly. “I wasn’t going to lose you then and I feel the same since finding you again.”

The
dance ended and they came to a halt so near Klaus, who was waiting on the edge of the floor, that she was startled at seeing him there.

“
We were coming back to the table,” she said.

Klaus
smiled. “I wasn’t going to risk it. This is the last dance of the evening.”

Nils
bowed slightly to them both as formal Scandinavian manners demanded and bade them both good night. “I’ll be leaving now as I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Fröken Larsen. And you, Major.”

Anna
did not see him leave, making sure she did not glance once towards the glass doors.

It
was not until they were being driven back to the hotel that Klaus asked her what Nils had been saying to hold her interest so intently.

“
We were discussing skiing,” she replied.

He
had taken hold of her hand. “What else? Was he trying to make a date with you?”

She
laughed softly. “No. He’s about the only one who didn’t.”

“
But surely he asked if you would be at the contest tomorrow?”

“
Yes, but I told him I couldn’t be there.”

“
He looked particularly serious at one point. Was it when you told him that? Or was there some other reason? I’d like to know.”

Anna
’s patience was running out. “Is this an interrogation, Klaus?”

“
Why should you think of that?” he gave back keenly. “Some association of ideas perhaps?”

Anna
knew herself to be on slippery ground. “No. I’m just not used to being cross-questioned.”

Klaus
brought his mouth close to her ear and lowered his voice in order not to be overheard by the driver. “It’s only that I want to know everything about you and to see you look at me as you did at Olsen when you were in his arms. You didn’t even blink in any other direction.”

Anna
did not find that surprising. She and Nils had been discussing a life and death situation. Yet maybe Klaus, watching closely, had seen something in her face of what would always be in her as far as Nils was concerned. “You must remember that one doesn’t meet an Olympic Gold Medallist every day. He was kind enough to tell me what it’s like to take part in the Games.” That was true, but his account had been given to her and others seven years before. “At the time I followed it all on the newsreels at the cinema.”

“
I was an
oberleutnant
then, but I was lucky enough to be present when the Führer opened the Games.”

There
flashed into Anna’s mind the newsreel image of thousands of arms raised in the Nazi salute and she almost shuddered.

At
the hotel the entrance was locked, but Klaus had a key. On the first floor where his room was located, Anna stopped to say a brief good night, but he shook his head.

“
There’s no need for the evening to end yet. I thought we’d have a glass of wine together.”

“
No, it’s late and I couldn’t drink anything more.”

“
Then I’ll see you to your door.” He was carrying his hat and stuck it on the newel post before throwing his greatcoat over the bannister rail. He caught her up on the next flight. Again she would have parted from him, but he put a proprietary arm about her waist, ignoring her insistence that guests were not expected to go up to the fourth floor.

“
Fru Sande doesn’t sleep up here, does she?” he said, more as a statement than a question.

“
No, she has her own small apartment adjoining the office, but Margot is my neighbour.”

On
the fourth floor Klaus looked around in surprise. “It’s larger up here than I expected. What are all these doors?”

“
Two lead into storage rooms, one to the bathroom and the other two are the bedrooms.”

Having
satisfied himself that there was no one in range likely to intrude, Klaus turned back to Anna. With a smile he set the flat of his hands either side of her on the door. “You intrigue me, Anna. There’s something elusive about you I can’t understand. I find everything about you fascinating — your looks, your voice, the way you laugh. Yet however close we are physically, as when we danced and how we are now, you keep your innermost self distant from me.” His eyes were searching hers. “Tell me how I can get through to you, Anna.”

She
decided to use the truth to her advantage. “If I seemed more at ease this evening when I danced with Nils Olsen, it was because I was with a fellow countryman. You must remember that you wear the uniform of a conqueror.”

He
grinned widely and began to unbutton his jacket. “That’s easily remedied.”

“
No, don’t!” she exclaimed angrily, grabbing his hand; in an attempt to stop him. It was her mistake. Instantly he seized her wrists and she thumped back against her door as he held her pinioned, his mouth clamping down on hers, his tongue probing. She was helpless, his whole body pressed hard against hers. Her only weapon was a total lack of response. As he became aware of it, he drew his mouth away from hers, meeting her cold stare.

“
I couldn’t help myself, Anna,” he said thickly. “You’re so lovely. Unlock your door. Let’s talk this over.” He stroked his hands down her arms and she shook him off.

“
Please go.”

“
Liebling
, you must know how much I have come to care for you! I could make a difference to your whole life if you would only meet me half-way. Surely there should be a time for loving in the midst of war? I care for you and we need each other, Anna.” He put his fingertips lightly against the side of her face, looking deeply at her, tenderness vibrating in his voice. “I can make you happier than you ever dreamed possible.”

She
remained totally still. “I want you to leave, Klaus. The evening is over.”

He
stepped back from her, angry colour rising up his neck, and he threw out his hands in exasperation. “You’re impossible! I don’t understand you. I know you’re attracted to me as I am to you. We’re fellow Aryans. There is nothing to keep us apart.” He brought his face close to hers again, his damaged ego spurring him to mockery. “Don’t tell me you’re still a virgin with your looks and in this house of men.” Seizing her breast, he squeezed as with his other arm he pulled her to him.

Instantly
Anna shot up her hand and caught him under the chin with the ball of her palm, making his jaw crack and jerking his head back with all her strength. His arm fell away and he drew back, staring at her with narrowed eyes, his face congested with temper, his nostrils dilated. “Where did you learn that trick?” he demanded heatedly.

Too
late she realised that a slap across the face was what he might have expected, not a trained act of self-defence.

“
A boyfriend taught me years ago. It’s not the first time I’ve used it.”

“
But you dared to use it on me!” His furious outrage threatened to choke him. “
Me
!”

She
stood her ground, her cheeks flushed, not knowing yet if he would attempt to strike her, but she was prepared to defend herself. Her training had taught her never to show fear and she could see her apparent calmness was exacerbating his humiliation at her rejection. She took a chance.

“
Go!” she ordered crisply. “For your sake and mine. Now!”

He
hesitated only briefly, scarcely able to grasp why the evening should have ended in this disastrous manner. Then, swinging away, his open jacket flapping, he went off down the stairs. Anna remained where she was until his door slammed two floors below, vibrating through the hotel. A moment later Margot looked sleepily out of her room, pushing back her hair.

“
Something woke me up, Anna. How did the evening go?”

“
I’ll tell you about it in the morning.”

“
OK. Good night.” Margot closed her door again.

Anna
opened her own door, which she had never bothered to lock, but, after entering, this time she turned the key.

*

In the morning Anna sought out Emil and said she had to make contact, having an important message to deliver. He nodded and she knew it would be done on her behalf. Going on duty at the reception desk, her first task was to sort the mail for the officers, which was brought by an army delivery. Almost all of it was in a personal category from Germany. As always, each had been opened and resealed by a German censor before leaving the country. Her guess was that not all the news of the Allied bombing of the country was allowed to get through to servicemen away from home.

Anna
looked up as Klaus came through the lobby. He was on his way out and did not glance in her direction. “One moment, Major Schultz!” she said quickly.

He
stopped, impatiently flicking his gloves against his great-coat. “What is it? I’m in a hurry.”

“
There are two letters for you.” She held them out.

He
came across to the desk and took them from her. Turning them over he noted the addresses on the back. Then he raised his head and looked coolly at her. “There was no need for that little contretemps between us last night, Anna. I wasn’t expecting a commitment from you, only my dues as a conqueror.”