Page 14 of The German Mother

Leila slid along the wooden bench seat and looked across at Viktor. ‘My parents brought me here when I was accepted at university. It was a special treat.’

‘Good, so you’ll know the kind of food they serve here. It’s all delicious.’

Once they had ordered, and the wine had been poured, Viktor sat back and smiled at Leila. ‘It’s really lovely to see you,’ he said. ‘I have to admit that I’ve missed you. Isn’t that strange? I’ve only just met you and I miss you already.’

Leila felt herself blushing. She bit her lip, temporarily tongue-tied. ‘I missed you too,’ she replied eventually. ‘As soon I left Erhard’s office, I was dying to tell you everything.’

‘Tell me now,’ he said, leaning forward, resting his chin on his hands.

As she recounted her interview with Erhard Auer, Viktor listened attentively. Finally he sat back. ‘Well, I think Erhard has got himself an excellent trainee. What’s he given you to do?’

‘He suggested I start with court reporting.’

‘Ah…the standard way in for all rookie reporters. If you can bear to sit through boring court cases and make good stories out of them, you’ll have learned the basic skills to be a good journalist.’ He smiled. ‘I’ve just realised though…it’s the Hitler hearings coming up, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. I’ve been told to spend the next six weeks reporting on ordinary cases – thefts, petty burglaries and so on – to get my hand in. Then once the big trial starts – at the end of February – he’ll send an experienced journalist to cover it, but said I might be allowed to attend occasionally. “To watch and learn,” he said.’ She looked across at Viktor nervously.

‘That sounds eminently sensible – and what a case for the start of your career.’ He raised his glass to her. ‘To the lovely Leila Hoffman – a name that one day will be famous, I’m quite sure.’

When the waiter had cleared away their dessert plates, Leila plucked up the courage to ask Viktor about his first wife.

‘Saskia made me the happiest of men,’ he said wistfully. ‘Her death was a terrible shock. We had no idea she was even ill until the end…she had ovarian cancer, you see – the silent killer, they call it.’ He looked across at Leila with tears in his eyes. ‘There are times when I still feel her presence, you know? But I have to accept that she’s gone. And she would want me to be happy. Before she died, she begged me to marry again.’

As Viktor talked of his wife, Leila felt ashamed of her earlier feelings of envy. Instead, she felt a bond with Saskia, as if Viktor was describing someone Leila had already met and cared for – a cousin, perhaps, or even a sister. What they had in common was their affection for this kind, intelligent man. ‘She sounds a remarkable woman,’ Leila said wistfully. ‘I wish I could have met her.’

The candles on the table began to sputter, and the waiters were clearing the tables around them, when Leila checked her watch.

‘Look, I really ought to be getting home. I promised my mother I wouldn’t be late. Besides, I have a feeling they want to close the restaurant.’

‘Yes of course,’ he replied. ‘I’ve been rather selfish keeping you out so long.’

‘No! I’ve loved being with you, honestly. But I should go now.’

Outside, they were met by a dense blanket of fog which had descended over the city during the evening.

‘I can hardly see my hand in front of my face,’ complained Leila. ‘How on earth will we get home?’

‘There’ll be no taxis running. I fear we will have to walk.’

‘How will we find our way?’ asked Leila.

‘By instinct,’ Viktor replied, laughing. ‘Come on, hang on to me.’

Arm in arm, they walked gingerly round the edge of the square, feeling their way along the buildings. As they clung closely to one another, Leila could smell Viktor’s coat – a warm fragrance of wool and cashmere. As they attempted to cross what Viktor assured her was a road, a car suddenly loomed out of the yellow fog. Leila yelped in fear, and Viktor wrapped his arms round her and pulled her clear. ‘I’ve got you,’ he whispered.

Finally, they arrived at the Hoffmans’ apartment building, and stood wrapped in each other’s arms beneath the dim glow of a nearby ground-floor window. Viktor looked down at Leila. ‘Do you know what I’ve wanted to do all evening?’

‘No, what?’ Leila replied teasingly.

‘This.’ He kissed her tenderly on the mouth.

She, in turn, yielded herself to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him towards her.

‘Oh, Leila,’ he murmured after a few moments, caressing her hair, kissing her ear. ‘I know it’s mad, but I think I’m in love with you.’

She felt tears spring into her eyes. It seemed unreal somehow, that this wonderful man should declare himself to her so soon. She considered replying, ‘I love you too,’ but held back. Something about the speed and the ferocity of their feelings for each other frightened her. She felt the need to control the emotions whirling inside her.

‘I should go in,’ she said quietly.