Page 66 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

The new term arrived, and with Goerdeler back in the city, the political temperature was lowered, just as Elle had predicted. I returned to my studies, and life largely continued as it had before the arrival (and departure) of Kreeg Eszu. Pip was working furiously on his composition, in the desperate hope that it could be performed before Karine had no choicebut to leave Leipzig. He held occasional rehearsals for new elements of the score and, from behind my cello, I would genuinely marvel at the work. Even if he is lacking in other areas, Pip Halvorsen is a supremely talented composer.

‘Is it any good, Bo? I trust your opinion.’

‘I think it will be a triumph,’ I answered honestly.

‘That is very gracious of you to say.’ He closed the piano lid and leant over to me. ‘You know, there is a rumour around the school that you are called “Bo” because you are never seen without your cello bow. Is there any truth in it?’

I chuckled confidently, masking my pang of anxiety. ‘Nonsense, I’m afraid. Although, of course, that is why I picked up a bow in the first place!’ I internally congratulated myself on the smoothness of the lie.

‘Ah, of course. Bo by name...’

‘Bow by nature,’ I replied.

Pip looked around the wood-panelled rehearsal room. ‘You know, Goerdeler is standing for re-election in March. He announced it today.’

I stood up and began to pack my cello away. ‘Well, that is undoubtedly good news.’ I was aware that Pip was watching me closely to see my response.

‘Yes,’ he continued. ‘I’m rather hoping that, as the whole conservatory and the majority of Leipzig are behind him, his re-election will rid this place of its unwelcome visitors. For the sake of our significant others.’

I clipped my case shut, then turned to face him. ‘I believe that might be an ambitious prediction, Pip. Goerdeler hasn’t even managed to get Mendelssohn’s statue rebuilt.’

He shrugged. ‘Granted. But surely once the people have spoken, and he is returned to office, the Reich will have no choice but to support him?’

‘I’m not so sure. We all know that Haake is openlycanvassing against his re-election. The destruction of the statue has fully revealed his stance on the Jews.’

Pip sighed deeply. Clearly I was not providing him with the responses he was hoping for. ‘I know. I’m constantly trying to convince myself that this isn’t real. I’m in my third year, of course. There is a high probability that I will get to finish my time here in Leipzig. But for Karine, Elle and yourself, of course... you might have to leave before your final year even begins.’

‘It is a small price to pay for guaranteed safety, Pip.’

He paused, and then nodded. ‘Quite right, yes.’

Over the next few weeks in the run-up to Goerdeler’s re-election, Elle, Karine and many other conservatory students canvassed for him. On the night the votes were counted, we joined the crowds outside City Hall and cheered euphorically when we heard our candidate had been re-elected. For the first time in a while, it felt like we had experienced a true victory.

Despite Goerdeler’s best efforts, the statue was not rebuilt. Given this failure, he resigned from office on 31st March 1937, declining to formally accept his re-election.

I must apologise for the quality of my handwriting, which the reader will no doubt observe has deteriorated significantly since my last entry. Unfortunately, I have endured an injury to my right arm, and it is painful to lift it up onto the desk. Each time I start a new line, a jolt of pain passes through my elbow, up into my shoulder, and crescendos in my neck. It serves as a reminder that the human body is an intricate mass of connected nerves, and I seem to have done enough damage to ensure that my pain is felt in a number of places. I am currently wearing a makeshift sling which Elle formed out of her scarf, and she helps me in and out of it several times per day. In addition, my face is currently the colour of theglühweinwe drank to warm ourselves on winter’s nights.

I should explain that I am currently in a cabin aboard a rickety old ferry, transporting me and Elle to a new land which neither of us have ever seen. Despite all that has happened, I am excited by the promise of a fresh, green country. Alongside us on the ferry are Pip and Karine, to whom I think Elle and I probably owe our lives. Pip has selflessly agreed to allow Elle and me to join him and Karine at his family home inNorway. The two-day voyage is providing a welcome opportunity to write in my diary, and I will chronicle the events which led to our departure from Leipzig.

Over the past few months, we had remained vigilant – particularly Elle, who had kept a keen eye out for Kreeg’s reappearance in the Hitler Youth brigade. Despite the fact there was no sign of Eszu, both Elle and I had felt that, come May, it was time to go. We had agreed to wait until the end of term, so that we might take our second-year exams, and then pack up for good. Now Goerdeler had gone, the National Socialists were free to decree any sanctions they liked against the Jewish population. It was simply too dangerous to remain. Elle had eventually convinced Karine to leave Germany with or without Pip, but he had accepted the severity of the situation, and invited Karine to return with him to Norway at the end of term.

Elle and I thought that the United States would be a sensible location for us to explore. We had just enough funds to make the crossing, and I had formulated a vague strategy to seek out the Blumenthal family to thank them for saving my life and to find work.

With plans made for all of us, it felt fitting that the concluding act of my time in Leipzig was to perform in the orchestra for Pip’s assessed piece. It was a light summer’s evening, and hundreds of students gathered outside the Gewandhaus in anticipation of hearing the orchestrations of the third-year composers. The square outside the conservatory really did look idyllic, despite the obvious absence of Herr Mendelssohn. Students milled about (many dressed in tails for the performance), sipping wine, discussing music and laughing with one another. Festooned lights provided a serene yellow glow, and if someone had parachuted down with no knowledge of the tension that plagued the city, they would surely have found this to be one of the most delightful atmospheres on earth.

I think it is how I will choose to remember the conservatory until the end of my days: a halcyon beacon of creative expression, which encouraged immense growth in me, both musical and personal.

‘You look very handsome, Bo. Tails really do suit you,’ Elle said, slinking her arm into mine.

‘Thank you, my love. But tails suit any man. We have it very easy. You and your female peers on the other hand are analysed and judged for whatever fashion choices you make. It’s silly, really...’

‘Is there a compliment forthcoming, or should I be worried?’ Elle joked.

‘Sorry, of course. You know that you always look radiant. But tonight, exceptionally so.’ It was no exaggeration. Elle wore a strapless navy-blue ballgown, which wrapped her torso snugly before splaying out into a ruffle below her hips.

‘Thank you, Bo. You’re right about women’s fashion. I imagine poor Karine will be receiving sly comments all night!’ Our friend had, naturally, decided against wearing a dress, and had opted instead for a black suit, with an oversized white bow tie completing the ensemble.

‘I think she looks perfect,’ I said.