Page 40 of The German Mother

Minki laughed. ‘I suppose that’s fair. Come on then, show me the rest of the house.’

From the main reception rooms on the ground floor, he led her down a set of steep stone steps. ‘The cellars are fascinating… they run the whole length of the house.’ He lit a match, illuminating the darkness.

Minki stopped on the bottom step. ‘I don’t like it down here, Joe…Let’s go.’

Reluctantly he agreed. ‘All right. I’ll take you to your hotel.’

They talked in her room for the rest of the day. Minki, notebook in hand, was determined to get under Goebbels’ skin – to explore his philosophy of life.

‘You intrigue me, Joe. You’re as poor as a church mouse and yet you have this inner belief that you will be successful.’

‘You’re laughing at me.’

‘No, I’m not, truly. You have something about you… potential, I suppose. Is that how you see it?’

‘That’s kind. There are times when I despair, but then my belief in the nation and the German spirit rises, phoenix-like. Whether my future will be in literature or politics I can’t say. But I have to believe I will succeed.’

She allowed him to stay with her that night. When they made love, it was more tender than before. Minki gazed into his large brown eyes, and wondered if she could ever love him in the way she had loved Peter. Perhaps Joseph was her destiny, after all.

Sitting on the train back to Nuremberg that Friday afternoon, she opened her handbag, and found a note from him. He must have put it there that morning over breakfast.

I adore you.You have bewitched me, but I know you are not the marrying kind. Until we meet again…JG

Back at her apartment, she unpacked her small suitcase, then sat down at the kitchen table, going over her notes on the interview. It had the makings of an interesting piece. Suddenly, the bell to her apartment rang from down below. Peering out of her window, she saw Leila and Viktor standing in the street outside.

‘Leila!’ she called out, ‘what are you doing here?’

‘We’ve come to see you. We have some exciting news…Didn’t you get my letter?’

‘Hang on,’ replied Minki. She ducked back inside, tipped the kitchen rubbish bin upside down and found Leila’s abandoned letter. She speedily read to the end.

May we come and visit you soon? Viktor could drive me up on the weekend of the 20th. Do say we can come. I’m so worried about you and want so desperately to make sure you’re all right. All my love, Leila.

Filled with remorse, Minki raced down the stairs of her apartment building and threw open the door. ‘Darling Leila, and dear Victor…how wonderful to see you. Please do come up.’

She led the couple up the staircase to her apartment. In the tiny hall, she took their coats. ‘Where are you staying?’

‘In a hotel round the corner,’ replied Viktor.

‘How very liberated!’ Minki joked. ‘Staying in a hotel together…’

‘Very funny,’ replied Leila. ‘You’d better tell her, Viktor…’

Viktor held up a bottle of champagne. ‘We have some good news and brought this…do you have glasses?’

‘Oh, of course,’ replied Minki, leading the way into her tiny kitchen, where she opened the cupboard and took out three glass tumblers.

Leila stared at the open cupboard. ‘Minki darling…you have hardly any china, or glassware. How on earth do you live like this?’

‘Quite easily,’ replied Minki. ‘I don’t bother to cook – I just go out.’ She placed the glasses on the countertop. ‘So what are we celebrating?’

Viktor poured the champagne and handed each of them a glass. ‘We are celebrating the fact that your dear friend has agreed to be my wife.’

Minki put her glass down and embraced Leila. ‘Oh darling, that’s wonderful.’

Leila beamed happily. ‘I’m so glad you’re pleased. I’m never very sure if you approve of marriage.’

‘I approve of other people’s marriages.’ Minki laughed, taking a swig of her champagne. ‘Mmm, delicious. Now, let’s finish this bottle and then we’ll go out and celebrate in Nuremberg’s finest restaurant. The owner’s a good friend of mine.’