Page 60 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

I was simply lost for words. ‘Evelyn, I don’t know what to say...’

She chuckled. ‘Wasn’t that always your problem, young master Bo?’ I hugged her again.

‘Thank you, Evelyn. Thank you for everything.’

She whispered in my ear. ‘Keep her close, Bo. She is a gift from the stars.’ When I pulled away, I saw her brown eyes were glistening. ‘Now!’ Evelyn clapped her hands together, recovering herself. I must return home and await my telegram from Monsieur Landowski. When I come back, I will bring your instruments. Elle, I wonder whether you might pen a note for Madame Dupont confirming that I am your aunt and have permission to pick up some of your possessions.’

‘Good idea.’ Elle went to grab a piece of paper from Brouilly’s desk and began to scribble.

‘Speaking of which, if there are any final arrangements that either of you wish to make before leaving Paris, now is the time. Goodbye,mes chéris.’ With that, Evelyn turned and left the apartment.

The three of us who remained stood in silence for a moment, as the whirlwind began to calm. Eventually, I turned to Elle. ‘We must write letters. There are few things more hurtful than when someone disappears from your life without explanation. I will write to Monsieur Ivan.’

Elle nodded. ‘And I to Madame Gagnon, I suppose.’

I wished to keep my letter to Monsieur Ivan brief, but heartfelt.

Dear Monsieur Ivan,

I hope that Evelyn has been in touch with you, and that this letter finds you safely. I regret that I will not be able to attend Tuesday’s lesson. I wished to write to you to thank you for everything. Not only have you been a finer tutor than any young musician could ever wish for, you have been something far greater – the first true friend I believe I have ever had.

I hope that we may one day meet again. Failing that, I shall listen closely to all future recordings of Parisian symphony orchestras, and see if I can detect the distinct glide of your bow across the strings. Perhaps you might do the same, and this way we shall always keep one another in our hearts.

I wish you to know that I hold you in no way responsible for the events that have unfortunately transpired. Without your ingenuity, and the... help of Monsieur Rachmaninoff, I know that it would not have been possible to grant Elle tuition. I am eternally grateful to you for giving us both a chance.

Finally, please remain vigilant of a certain flute teacher. He cannot be trusted. I wanted to give you this information, because, well... we émigrés must help one another, mustn’t we?

Bo D’Aplièse

Evelyn returned in a taxi cab with our instruments later that evening. I went to help her unload them, but she put a hand out to stop me.

‘Stay inside, Bo. You never know who might be watching.’ She and Brouilly swiftly emptied the car, and Evelyn waved it off. ‘I won’t be staying long. I have the instructions fromMonsieur Landowski. He has a colleague at the French Academy who is also a sculptor from Paris. His name is Pavel Rosenblum. The timing is fortuitous. His daughter, Karine, is about to start her first term at the Leipzig Conservatory. He was able to make some telephone calls, and you have both been accepted as undergraduates.’

‘Leipzig? In Germany?’ Elle asked nervously. I put an arm around her.

‘You are correct, yes. Obviously, as undergraduates, it will probably be necessary for you to adjust your ages a little. I do not anticipate that this will be a problem – you both look older than you are.’

‘When will we leave, Evelyn? And how will we travel to Germany?’ I enquired.

‘Do you remember that my son Louis works at the Peugeot factory?’ I nodded. ‘As luck would have it, he is delivering a new motor car to a client in Luxembourg tomorrow morning. He will drive you across the border, and from there on in it will be safe to make your way to Leipzig on trains. As for documentation, Bo, you will borrow some of Marcel’s papers, and Elle, you will use Nadine’s. As you are both young, I do not anticipate any close scrutiny. You must return them by post when you arrive in Germany.’

The thought of such kindness choked me. ‘Do you know where we will live, Evelyn?’

‘I am informed that you have lodgings in a district called Johannisgasse, organised through Monsieur Rosenblum. It is where Karine is staying. I don’t have many details – all this has been organised in just one day – but apparently it is nice enough.’

I cycled through the remaining practical questions in my head. ‘What about money?’

‘My dears, you are the recipients of the Prix Blumenthal.I assure you, the financial remuneration will be adequate to sustain you during your three years of undergraduate study. Tuition will be paid, and bank accounts established... the Prix will see to it all. In the meantime, here is some money for train tickets and food.’ She handed me a brown envelope. ‘You will also find the address of your lodgings in there.’

I looked into Evelyn’s gentle eyes. ‘Evelyn, I will never be able to...’ My voice cracked slightly. I had realised that this could be the last time I ever saw her, and my heart was breaking. Without saying a word, she gripped me tightly, and I buried my face in her coat.

‘Thank you for being mypetitcompanion, Bo. Remember, despite everything, there are more good people in the world than there are bad. I love you very much.’ She pulled away and reached into her pocket. ‘I have a telegram for you, from Monsieur Landowski.’ I took it from her and placed it in my own pocket, doing my utmost to hold back the sobs. Evelyn inhaled and gathered herself. ‘Elle! I am so sorry that your exit from Paris is filled with so much drama.’ She embraced her. ‘Look after him, won’t you?’

‘Always,’ replied Elle.

‘Good. Now, Louis will be here at six a.m. sharp. Do you have any letters?’

‘Yes.’ I sniffed, and handed her my note for Monsieur Ivan, and Elle her letter to Madame Gagnon.