Page 60 of The German Mother

‘He’s talking about setting up a special unit – a film department for the Party. He hasn’t said as much, but I think he’s going to ask me to head it up. I’m keen to show my face – let him see I’m interested.’

‘But why would you want such a job? You’re already a successful film producer.’

Max smiled. ‘You can be a little naive sometimes, Minki. A job like that would bring both influence and money.’

‘But you already have money, Max, and what do you care about influence?’

‘In this business you are only as good as your last film. I can see the way the wind is blowing. Hitler and his Party are gathering support every day. I feel sure they’ll win the next election and, if they do, Goebbels will be very powerful. He is talking about taking control of the arts in Germany. I need him to see that I can be useful. So, please darling – hurry up and get dressed.’

The party that evening was being held in Magda’s glamorous flat on Reichskanzlerplatz – the circular ring road in the fashionable centre of Berlin that surrounded an elegant park. Max parked the car and the couple walked towards the apartment building.

‘I hear Hitler has been invited,’ said Max. ‘So be on your best behaviour.’

‘All right,’ said Minki. ‘I’ve not seen him for a while – not since the night I met you, in fact.’

‘Oh yes…that glorious night,’ Max wrapped his arm round Minki and kissed her cheek.

‘I thought I was being set up as Hitler’s mistress, you know.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes…Goebbels certainly gave me that impression. But I think I’ve been superseded in Hitler’s affections by the lovely Magda.’

‘Really – Magda and Adolf? Are you sure?’

‘So I’ve heard…’

‘You’re not jealous, are you?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Good – because while attractive, Magda’s nowhere near as beautiful as you.’

‘Oh, Max, you do say the sweetest things.’

The couple arrived outside Magda’s apartment building and rang the main doorbell.

‘I suspect part of her appeal is her devotion to National Socialism,’ murmured Max, ‘which is not something we could accuse you of.’

Upstairs, a maid ushered them in and took their coats. Minki, still feeling queasy, was relieved when the dinner gong was rung; food always made her feel better.

The guests were the usual coterie of Party faithful. Guest of honour was Adolf Hitler himself, who was seated at one end of the table between Magda and Goebbels. Minki and Max were placed at the other end. While making polite conversation with her neighbours, Minki was fascinated by the dynamic between Magda and the evening’s two leading lights. Interestingly, Hitler appeared obsessed with Magda: he couldn’t keep his eyes off her, hanging on her every word, while Goebbels looked increasingly uneasy.

After dinner Goebbels invited Minki to join him on the sofa in the opulent drawing room. Magda, meanwhile, sat a little apart from the rest of her guests on a small sofa in the window, locked in conversation with Adolf Hitler. She was listening intently to the Party leader, laughing at his jokes as she fiddled with her dark brown hair. Any casual observer, Minki thought, would assume they were lovers.

Goebbels began to mutter, his face colouring with fury. ‘I think she’s letting herself down a little,’ he said sourly, motioning towards Magda.

‘In what way?’ asked Minki innocently, interested to hear his analysis.

‘Flirting with Adolf so obviously. It’s unseemly. She’s always like this with the boss.’

‘You shouldn’t let it upset you, Joe.’

‘It’s just not very ladylike. I worry sometimes…’ He looked away, and Minki thought she saw a tear in his eye. ‘I worry that she might be unfaithful to me. How would I cope if they were to become lovers? How could I stop them?’

Minki smiled. ‘It’s quite funny really – you being jealous of Adolf. You’re one of the most unfaithful men I’ve ever met.’

He shook his head. ‘Not any more. I haven’t made love to another woman since the day I met her. I have sleepless nights about her when we’re not together.’