Page 50 of The German Mother

‘Love stories, romances, comedies – anything and everything.’

She glanced across the room and saw Goebbels watching her intently. ‘Have you ever worked for Joe?’

‘Not yet…but I’m sure it won’t be long before he comes to me with a project.’

Minki laughed. ‘He once had ambitions as a dramatist, you know.’

‘Did he? Yes, I can imagine that.’

‘He wrote a play years ago, as well as a novel calledMichael– perhaps you’ve read it?’

‘No, I haven’t. How fascinating. Was it any good?’

Minki hesitated. ‘It was…interesting. It was written in the form of a diary, and the central character was a man not unlike the Party leader.’ She nodded towards Hitler, who was now deep in discussion with Goebbels. ‘They hadn’t met at that point,’ she went on, ‘but the likeness is remarkable. It was as if Joseph conjured him up – brought him into existence.’

Max studied her closely. ‘What a fascinating woman you are,’ he said, touching her hand gently. ‘You’ve obviously known Joseph for some time?’

‘Yes… we met in our early twenties – both of us were impoverished and frustrated writers at the time.’ Minki paused. She didn’t want to discuss her relationship with Goebbels; she was more interested in Max’s marital status.

‘Did you bring your wife tonight?’ she blurted out, blushing with embarrassment at her own boldness.

‘I’m not married,’ he replied, smiling. ‘Are you?’

‘No.’

‘I thought perhaps you and Joseph were together.’

‘No. As I explained, Joseph and I go back a long way – but we’re just friends.’

A few moments later, Goebbels appeared at her side. ‘Minki, darling – come and say goodbye to Adolf…’ He took her arm and guided her across the room, whispering in her ear: ‘He is most impressed…’

‘Ah, Fräulein Sommer,’ said Hitler, taking her hand and kissing it again. ‘It was a delight to meet you. I hope we will meet again.’

‘Yes…I’d like that.’

With Hitler gone, Max also prepared to leave. ‘Well, Joseph, I should be making a move. It was a delightful evening, thank you.’

‘My pleasure, Max. We must have that meeting soon. There are things to discuss.’

‘Of course.’

Max bowed to Minki. ‘It was a great pleasure to meet you, Fräulein. I wonder…might I give you a lift?’

Minki instinctively looked at Goebbels for approval. He nodded, and shrugged his shoulders, as if to say,fine, it’s nothing to do with me.

Downstairs, Max led Minki by the arm to his parked Mercedes and ushered her into the passenger seat. As soon as he had taken his place behind the wheel, he reached across, took her in his arms and kissed her. When he finally released her, he murmured: ‘I’ve been wanting to do that from the moment you walked in this evening.’

Minki smiled. ‘Well, you can do it again if you like.’

16

MUNICH

September 1930

Leila held Sofia’s head over the lavatory basin. ‘Try to be sick, Sofia, it will make you feel better.’

The child retched, then looked up at her mother. ‘Can I have a glass of water please?’