Page 30 of The German Mother

The waitress soon arrived with their beers.

‘Prost,’ said Minki, chinking her glass with Peter’s. ‘So, Peter…what would you like to know about me?’

‘Well, I suppose the obvious question is how on earth you can work for that awful paper?’

‘Quite easily – I’ve already told you, it’s a job, and the pay’s good.’

‘Are you committed to their beliefs?’

‘Of course not,’ she replied baldly. ‘I don’t have any beliefs. I’m not committed to anything, or anyone.’

‘That can’t be true. Everyone believes in something.’

‘I don’t.’

‘What – you don’t care about anything?’

‘I care about individual people, of course,’ she retorted. ‘This girl for a start.’ Minki grabbed Leila’s arm and pulled her towards her, kissing her cheek. ‘I adore her.’ Leila flushed with pleasure.

‘I have many friends, Peter,’ Minki went on, ‘from all walks of life – academics, prostitutes, singers…If they are loyal to me and make me laugh, I return the favour. I don’t discriminate, and I don’t pigeonhole people based on their political views. Fascists, communists – none of it matters to me. All authoritarian governments, whether left or right, want the same thing – to take control of other people’s lives.’

‘That’s why I work for a paper run by the Social Democrats,’ interjected Leila.

‘And I know you believe you can do some good working for them,’ replied Minki, ‘but do they really have the stomach for the fight? It seems to me they will fall at the first hurdle when faced with a truly authoritarian government.’

Keen to avoid an argument, Leila tried to move the conversation on. ‘Well, I don’t know…you might be right. But we’re none of us politicians, we’re just journalists. Why not switch to another paper, Minki? You have such talent – I’m sure you could work for a paper like thePostif you really wanted to.’

‘I seriously doubt they’d hire me,’ replied Minki. ‘Besides, I might give it all up…or go in another direction entirely.’

‘Mysterious, as ever,’ said Leila, standing up and draining her glass. ‘Well, thanks for the drink, Minki. I ought to get back to the office and give Edmund a hand with the trial story. Then I’m meeting Viktor for supper.’ She waited, expecting Peter to join her, but he remained seated. ‘Peter…are you coming?’

‘In a little while,’ he replied.

As she left the room, Leila turned at the curtain to wave goodbye, and noticed that Minki had wrapped her long lean leg round Peter’s shin. He was grinning like a cat.

That evening, Leila arrived at Café Luitpold to find Viktor already seated at the table.

‘I’m so sorry I’m a bit late, Viktor. I had to give my notes to Edmund.’

‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘Work is all that matters – especially now. How’s it going?’

‘Well, it’s fascinating of course. I feel so privileged to have a ringside seat in the place where such an important event is happening – to be part of it. And Martin and Edmund are both wonderful. I’ve learned such a lot.’

‘They’re good men,’ replied Viktor. ‘And how’s our friend from theNew York Times?’

His voice betrayed a tinge of anxiety. Leila knew he had been jealous of Peter, and, however hard she tried to convince him that she had no interest in the younger man, Viktor somehow never looked entirely convinced.

‘You’ll be glad to know that Minki’s set her cap at him.’

Viktor laughed. ‘Poor chap. He doesn’t stand a chance.’

‘I just left them together in a bar before coming here. I fear you’re right – he’s fallen completely under her spell.’

‘I’m surprised it’s taken him this long.’

‘Well, they are diametrically opposed politically. He despisesDer Stürmer.’

‘So does Minki, I suspect,’ replied Viktor.