Page 41 of The German Mother

13

MUNICH

July 1924

Plans for Leila’s wedding proceeded apace. Her mother had insisted on a formal wedding at the local synagogue, and Leila naturally asked her best friend to be her bridesmaid.

‘Minki, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have with me on that day. Can you spare the time to come down to Munich one weekend and help me choose my outfit? My mother wants to use a local seamstress she’s been going to for years. I might need some moral support.’

A few weeks later, on a hot summer’s day, Minki duly arrived at Munich station, and went straight to Leila’s parents’ apartment.

Hannah made coffee for the two girls in her kitchen. ‘I have it all arranged,’ she said. ‘Leila’s dress will be made by Frau Becker. She’s the best dressmaker in Munich. I’ve made an appointment to see her in an hour’s time.’

Leila smiled at Minki and whispered, ‘There’s no point arguing.’

‘She is also making my own outfit,’ Hannah went on, handing out cookies. ‘Lilac silk, very elegant. Now, drink up girls, we don’t want to be late.’

Emilia Becker lived and worked in an elegant first-floor apartment overlooking a verdant square in central Munich. A delicate, fine-boned woman with neat blond hair, she opened the door wearing a beautifully cut grey suit.

‘Welcome, Frau Hoffman. I’m delighted you have chosen my little atelier for such an important occasion.’

She led Hannah and the girls through to the living room. In the centre was a walnut table covered in bolts of cloth, and around the walls were cream calico dressmaker’s dummies – like a silent audience, Leila thought. The three women sat down on a high-backed silk sofa, and Frau Becker showed them samples of silk, lace and chiffon.

‘Leila, I would suggest pure white with your colouring,’ she said. ‘And as for the fabric, lace is always a good choice – delicate to the eye, and yet quite a sturdy fabric. I would back it with silk, of course, and might I suggest pure white chiffon for the veil?’

Leila picked up the lace, feeling it between her fingers. ‘It sounds wonderful – I’ll take your advice.’

Once Leila had been measured, the dressmaker drew a quick sketch of the outfit she proposed – a simple sheath, with three-quarter sleeves and dropped waist.

A later appointment was made for Leila to try on a ‘toile’ – a mock-up of the dress, she explained, made in simple calico.

Then it was Hannah’s turn. She too was measured and the whole procedure was performed again, but this time the choice was between three different shades of lilac cloth.

‘I love the silk crêpe deChine,’ said Leila.

‘Yes…but will it crease?’ asked her mother.

‘Not at all,’ Frau Becker assured her. ‘I’ll line it, and you’ll see – it will hang beautifully. Come back with your daughter in two weeks’ time and I’ll have a toile ready for you to try on.’

‘Now, what about Minki?’ asked Leila eagerly.

Hannah pursed her lips. ‘I didn’t realise I was paying for Minki’s dress too…’

‘Oh, no, you’re not,’ Minki answered quickly. ‘Not at all. I’ll buy something ready-made. There’s a dear little shop I know… not far away near my old apartment in Schwabing. It’s a funny little place selling all sorts of things – most of it second-hand, but it often has a few gems. Leila and I can go there later and find something to tie in with her dress – but not as beautiful of course,’ she added diplomatically.

Leila reached across and squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘Thank you, darling.’

The main business of the day duly completed, Hannah offered to take the two girls to lunch at a small café nearby. They settled themselves near the window.

‘So, Minki…any chance of you getting married soon?’ Hannah asked.

‘Oh, Mutti, don’t be so nosy,’ said Leila.

‘It’s all right.’ Minki laughed. ‘It’s a fair question – and no, Frau Hoffman, I fear not. I don’t seem to have Leila’s luck with men.’ She smiled and winked at her friend, before lighting a cigarette. ‘The men I love don’t love me and the men who do love me leave me cold.’

‘Maybe you expect too much,’ said Hannah, waving Minki’s smoke away from her face.

‘Mutti! That’s so rude,’ interjected Leila.