Page 65 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Elle and I were satisfied that, for the first time, Pip seemed to have accepted the gravity of the situation.

During the next few days, I remained in my lodgings and sent a note with Elle to tell my professors that I had come down with the winter flu. She came to visit me each evening, and update me on Eszu’s movements. On the third night, she returned with some new information.

‘I followed some of the SS officers into the centre of the city today. I’ve learnt that they stay in a hotel near to the NSDAP building,’ she said, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

‘What’s the NSDAP building?’

‘A sort of administrative headquarters. The state police are based there.’

I leant on my flimsy wooden desk. ‘Do you think that’s where Kreeg is located?’

‘Almost certainly, yes. Although...’ She looked away.

‘What is it, Elle?’

‘I’ve discovered that there is a rotation system in place. Kreeg travels around the country, visiting different Hitler Youth brigades, ensuring that the local indoctrination techniques are up to scratch. He will be leaving Leipzig imminently.’

I gave a chuckle in disbelief. ‘How did you learn this?’

‘I talked to one of them.’

My mood swiftly changed. ‘WHAT?! Elle, what on earth were you thinking? I only agreed to this plan on the proviso that you would not put yourself in harm’s way!’

She took my hands. ‘What better way to protect myself than to show support for their cause? I sidled up to one of the fresh-faced boys, who was smoking in the conservatory colonnade. I told him how handsome he looked in his uniform, and what a wonderful job he had done in taking down the statue the other day.’

I let go of Elle’s hands and began massaging my temples. ‘Oh Elle. Go on.’

‘I asked the soldier what his job was, and he told me that he was responsible for training the youth brigade under supervision from First Lieutenant Eszu... who is leaving tomorrow.’

My anger spilt out. ‘You are playing with fire, Elle. What if he knew that you were Jewish?!’

Elle rolled her eyes. ‘For goodness’ sake, will you look at me? My blonde hair and blue eyes could hardly be more fitting for their Aryan vision for Germany, could it? And it’s amazing what a little batting of eyelids can do...’

I sighed. ‘I don’t know how to feel. I suppose I should be happy that if I lie low for the next twenty-four hours, then Kreeg will leave Leipzig and I will be protected again. On the other hand, we won’t be able to enact your plan.’

‘No. Although the young officer told me that Lieutenant Eszu will be returning in six months to ensure that standards have not slipped. It will give us time to come up with a more concrete idea of how to return the diamond to him and ensure your safety.’

I began to pace around my small bedroom. ‘Yes. But it doesn’t change the position in which we find ourselves here,Elle. The Nazis aren’t just packing up and leaving like Kreeg. It’s still not safe for you.’

Elle took a moment to formulate her response. ‘As Pip predicted, Goerdeler is back. Just this afternoon, he promised to rebuild the Mendelssohn statue. Haake’s plan to oust him has failed. I think... things feel more stable out there. Whilst Goerdeler holds office, there is no imminent threat.’

I stopped pacing and looked into her eyes. ‘Are you really proposing we stay, Elle?’

She slowly nodded her head. ‘I have a duty to Karine. Pip isn’t going anywhere for the time being, and she needs our support. Don’t forget, Bo, without her father, we wouldn’t be here in the first place. We must stay to protect her.’

I couldn’t argue with Elle’s point. If Karine was staying, then evidently so were we. ‘I understand,’ I replied.

‘Thank you, Bo.’ I was rewarded with a kiss on my cheek. ‘You realise that it’s only a few days until the Christmas break? Pip and Karine plan to spend a week in a small hotel, checking in as man and wife. Frau Fischer, who runs my lodgings, is visiting family in Berlin at the same time.’ Elle blushed a little. ‘I thought, that... if you wanted to, you could perhaps come and stay with me for the week.’

My heart fluttered slightly. Even though Elle and I had been ‘together’ for seven years, we had never... consummated the relationship. Forgive me, I feel a little embarrassed writing about it. Our formative years have been predicated on innocence. However, now twenty and eighteen, there are clearly certain urges that had not been present when we were children. We had come close to indulging them on a few occasions, but had always found ourselves interrupted by something – normally another lodger. We had discussed perhaps booking a hotel, but felt that it would somehow be disrespectful to Monsieur Landowski and the Prix Blumenthal.

‘Life is short, Bo,’ Elle said, giving me a wink and making for my door.

The Christmas break arrived, and the conservatory cleared out, with pupils and staff alike returning home for the festivities. The lodgings were basically empty, and I packed a small suitcase of belongings to take over to Elle’s bedroom.

That night, we made love for the first time. We were both incredibly shy, and the experience was short and fumbling. Afterwards, as I held her in my arms, we looked at one another, in a bizarre attempt to force a romantic moment – for I think it was what we have both read about in novels. In truth, the... act... had been slightly underwhelming, and the subsequent eye contact simply caused us to burst into peals of laughter. Then, the laughter became kissing, which in turn became something more, and... well, I am glad to report that the second attempt was far more successful. I am hesitant to write any details here, to preserve Elle’s modesty and my own embarrassment, but it was quite remarkable.

We spent the week schooling one another in the art of physical intimacy, and happily drowning in the sins of the flesh. We discovered that, after a false start, it is the most natural process for two people in love. Our bodies are designed to give us pleasure, so why should we deny them?