Page 61 of The German Mother

Minki squeezed Goebbels’ hand. ‘I’m sure she loves you, Joe. Besides, she’s in a very difficult position. It’s obvious Hitler is mad about her. How is she supposed to deal with it – tell him to get lost? I think she’s just flirting to keep him happy. I feel quite sorry for her.’

‘Do you really think so?’ Goebbels gazed deeply into Minki’s blue eyes.

‘Yes…I really think so. She’s a woman of the world, who knows how to make a man happy – and I mean that kindly. She’s doing what any of us would do in that situation.’

‘I suppose so,’ replied Goebbels sulkily.

‘Adolf never seems to have a woman of his own, does he?’ mused Minki. ‘Maybe he’s happier borrowing other people’s. Less responsibility, or something.’

‘You’re right, Minki…He doesn’t have much luck with women. He’s too soft, you see? Women don’t like that.’ His face softened. ‘I shouldn’t really begrudge the boss a little affection, should I? It’s so lacking in his life.’

‘That’s very generous of you,’ replied Minki. ‘But I, for one, think that Magda is the right woman for you. She clearly has something that none of your other lovers ever had…me included. You were never this sick with jealousy about me, or even Else. And what was the name of the other one you kept going back to? Anka, that’s it – the married one – you were wildly in love with her.’

‘Anka got in touch recently, you know. She wanted me back but I told her it’s too late. I’m with Magda now, and I’m staying with her.’

Driving home, Max was unusually quiet. Minki finally broke the silence. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes,’ he mumbled.

This monosyllabic response unnerved her. Normally after a party, they would share gossip and stories from the evening.

Finally, Max broke the silence. ‘You and Goebbels seemed to have a lot to talk about this evening.’

‘Yes…Poor Joseph.’ Minki sighed. ‘He’s being driven mad with jealousy about Magda. He thinks she’s having an affair with Adolf.’

‘Is she?’

‘I don’t know, but I do think she’s one of those women who are drawn to powerful men. It’s a sort of aphrodisiac for them. Her first husband was so much older than her – I suspect she married him just for his money. Now, she’s more interested in power.’ She glanced across at Max. ‘Did you manage to speak to Joseph about the job?’

‘No,’ he replied sulkily. ‘He was too obsessed with you and his girlfriend.’

‘Never mind, darling. Maybe go and see him at his office. Dinner parties and business deals don’t mix.’

A few weeks later Minki had taken a day off work, and was resting on the sofa after lunch when she was woken by the ringing of the telephone. Sleepily she stumbled into the hall and picked up the receiver. ‘Hello.’

‘Minki?’

‘Yes, who’s that?’

‘It’s Joseph…I have news.’

‘How exciting – go on.’

‘Magda and I are engaged.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful. You must be thrilled.’

‘I am.’ He sounded uncertain, his voice suddenly flat and dull.

‘You don’t sound very pleased, Joe. What’s the matter?’

‘Nothing really…it’s just that it was quite odd.’

‘What was?’

‘Well, she told both Hitler and her ex-husband that we were to marry before even mentioning it with me. I was presented with a sort of fait accompli.’

‘A woman who knows her own mind, obviously…’ said Minki quietly. ‘But you want to marry her, don’t you, Joe? I mean…you love her desperately.’