Page 114 of The German Mother

‘Yes. I’m calling from the German service – it’s urgent.’ Her heart was beating fast, but to her relief the operator began the laborious process of putting the call through.

The line crackled as the phone was answered. ‘The vonZeller residence.’

‘Can I speak to Minki, please?

‘I’m afraid she’s not here, madam.’

‘Oh, when will she be back?’

‘I’m not sure – you see…she’s left, madam.’

‘What do you mean, left?’

‘I really shouldn’t say – it’s not my place. The master is here…would you like to speak to him?’

‘Yes, please.’

‘May I say who’s calling?’

‘Yes, just tell him it’s Leila.’

When Max came on the line his voice sounded weak and dejected. ‘Leila. What a surprise.’

‘Hello Max. How are you?’

‘Oh, you know…’ His voice trailed off.

‘Max, I need to talk to Minki urgently – I need her help. The maid said that she had left, but wouldn’t say where or why.’

Suddenly, Max began to weep, his sobs ricocheting down the phone line. Leila had never been close to the man, and ever since he joined the Party, she had come to despise him. But now, hearing his voice crack with despair, she couldn’t help but feel sympathetic. ‘Oh, Max – what’s the matter?’

He took a few deep breaths, and then launched into a brief account of Clara’s kidnap. ‘The thing I can’t forgive myself for, Leila…is that it’s all my fault,’ he sobbed. ‘I was so trusting and stupid, whereas Minki was right about everything, all along.’

‘Max, don’t be so harsh on yourself. No one could have envisaged them stealing your child away like that. Particularly when you had friends in such high places.’

‘But I should have seen it coming. Minki told me to be careful and I didn’t listen.’

‘I can’t imagine what you and Minki must be going through. What is your plan?’

‘I don’t know,’ he muttered.

‘Well surely you must ask for Goebbels’ support. Minki could always wrap him round her little finger.’

‘Perhaps…’

‘Max, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. Sadly, I can’t see any way I can help. In the meantime, I really need to speak to Minki urgently. My parents are in terrible danger and she’s the only one who can help me. When do you expect her back?’

‘I’m not sure. She took the boys to her father’s in Augsburg. You might find her there.’ Once again, Max sobbed. ‘Oh Leila, I fear that if we don’t find Clara I may never see Minki again…’

‘Try not to think like that. If anyone can find Clara, it’s Minki. And good luck.’

As she replaced the receiver, Leila rocked back in her chair. She tried to imagine Minki’s anguish at the prospect of searching for a child abducted by Hitler’s ruthless authorities. But Leila had meant what she had said: if anyone could find Clara, it would be Minki.

The world, it seemed, had just got a little darker. Now there was a lost child as well as her vulnerable parents to worry about. And to Leila’s enormous frustration, there was little she could do about either problem. Minki was the one person on whom everything now rested.

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BERLIN