Page 62 of The German Mother

‘Oh, yes – very much.’

‘And how did Adolf take it?’

‘Surprisingly well, I think. I was worried at first – thought it might come between us – but he and I had a good conversation the other evening. He told me I was a “lucky devil”. Those were his exact words. He loves Magda, you see, but doesn’t begrudge my happiness. In his eyes I got there first and that’s that.’

‘Well, that’s one good thing. When are you getting married?’

‘Soon, I suspect – before Christmas. It won’t be a big affair. There’s a lot of politics going on at the moment. But we’d love you and Max to come.’

‘Really?’ replied Minki, flattered. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course – we’re very fond of you both. Anyway…How are you?’

‘Me? Oh, getting fatter.’

‘When’s the baby due?’

‘Just after Christmas. Honestly, I think I must have got pregnant on our wedding night.’

‘You’ll be a wonderful mother.’

‘Do you really think so? I worry that I’m too selfish.’

‘Well, if you are, having children will cure you of it.’

‘Will you and Magda have children?’

‘We hope to. Magda is very keen, I’m glad to say. But she must have a little operation first.’

‘Oh, nothing serious, I hope.’

‘No, just some woman’s problem…I’m sure it will be all right.’

The Goebbels’ wedding was held at the Quandt family estate a couple of hours’ drive from Berlin. Magda had been granted right of residence to the fine red-brick manor house by her ex-husband as part of the divorce settlement.

The night before the wedding Max and Minki checked into a local hotel. The following morning, as Max lay on the bed, working his way through a pile of newspapers, Minki studied her outfit in the mirror. She had chosen a long purple dress, which was stretched tightly over her large bump.

‘My God, Max,’ she said, turning left and right, ‘what on earth induced me to bring this ghastly dress? I look awful.’

Max leapt off the bed and wrapped his arms round her pregnant bump. ‘Darling girl, you look magnificent,’ he said, kissing the side of her neck. ‘Like a regal ship in full sail.’

‘Exactly…like a huge purple whale. At least my fur coat will conceal the worst of it.’

‘You can’t wear a fur coat for the entire day. You’ll have to take it off when we get inside. Now stop being silly. The colour suits you wonderfully.’

‘Magda will look ravishing, of course,’ said Minki gloomily.

‘As she should – it is her wedding day, after all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going down to the dining room to get some breakfast.’

Max disappeared downstairs, and Minki applied the finishing touches to her make-up. Suddenly tired, she flopped down onto the bed and picked up a copy of theMunich Post. Her eye was caught by the headline:

JEWS IN THE THIRD REICH

The article had been written by the political editor, Edmund Goldschagg, with added reporting by Leila Labowski.

Minki scanned it, her heart thumping:

The National Socialist Party leadership has, in the eventuality of taking power, drafted special guidelines for the ‘Solution of the Jewish Question’.