|
Miller H Caldwell, click here
to update your web pages on AuthorsDen.
|
|
|
|
3rd Chapter
3
The doorbell rang one afternoon as Fleur was ironing one of Otto’s brown shirts making sure his arm creases were pressed prominently and in the right place. She was pleased to open the door for Karl.
‘Carry on Fleur. Don’t let me stop you,’ he said.
‘I’m ready for a break,’ said Fleur filling up the kettle.
‘Having second thoughts about us taking Otto on?’
‘No, no second thoughts. That matter’s happily settled I think, but is Renate comfortable with the arrangement?’ asked Fleur.
‘Yes, certainly. We’d both have Otto anytime. That’s not my worry,’ said Karl.
‘Then what is?’
‘A couple of things have been on my mind.’
‘They are?’ asked Fleur.
‘Otto’s lack of regular education with the Hitler Youth is one concern. It seems it’s run on strict activity lines. No time for proper learning or education. It’s certainly not like the Boy Scouts, which I remind you, they have banned as well as church youth groups!’
‘I’m more concerned what happens after the Hitler Youth. When a boy is 18, and Otto is not far off that, they leave to be sent to the army,’ said Fleur stirring sugar into Karl’s cup.
‘It’s almost certain they are drafted into the growing army at that age,’ said Karl.
‘Otto told me as much. That’s why he’ll only be with you for a short while.’
‘Fleur, it’s not that he’s naive or gullible. He’s going with the other boys. They are all in the same circumstances. But of one thing I am certain.’
Fleur served the coffee to Karl.
‘And that is?’ asked Fleur.
‘Thank you. Hmmm .....that’s good. Yes, that brings me to the second concern. There can be little doubt we are heading for war. But what allegiances are forming? Hitler sees Britain as Aryan and equally opposed to a Communist nation taking over Europe. He assumes Britain will not oppose him. That however is an assumption. We cannot be sure. That is why I think you should consider staying in Scotland until we see which way the wind is blowing. You follow me?’
‘But how long should that be?’ asked Fleur.
‘You could help run the hotel for a while. I am sure your parents will appreciate that.’
‘How long do you think the authorities will let me stay?’
‘Fleur, I think you’ve forgotten. You have dual nationality haven’t you? Remember what troubles that caused last time? I think you could put it to good use now.’
‘A one way ticket?’
‘Exactly. Just what you need.’
Fleur booked her sailing for September 30th and began to gather her luggage. But she had also made a seminal decision. The house would be placed in Otto’s name when he turned 18. That meant Fleur would take as much as she could to Scotland and that meant travelling with two large trunks.
She sorted out what she felt she could take and what she could leave. Then she started a notebook of instructions for Otto. It would be a book about cooking; washing and shopping. She covered the exercise book in a grease proof paper then in the wall paper of the lounge which had recently been decorated. On the front cover she wrote in bold ink: OTTO’S BUCH Kochen; Bugelservice; Waschen und Einkaufen. Satisfied with her afternoon’s work, Fleur opened her oboe case and began to play. As she came to the end of a sombre passage, she heard a knock on the door.
‘Oh Herr Eicke! I was not expecting you!’
‘No Frau Richter. But I have been standing outside your front door for the past few minutes. You play Mozart particularly well.’
‘You know your music Herr Eicke,’ said Fleur.
‘Only that it is Mozart. You will have to enlighten me as to which piece you were playing.’
‘It was the Hostias from Mozart’s Requiem in D minor K626. Not usually played by the oboe of course. I was playing the choral part.’
Herr Eicke entered the house uninvited. Fleur stood aside to let him in.
‘The sitting room is on the left Herr Eicke.’
‘It was remiss of me, I agree, not to notify you that I intended to see you before you returned to Scotland.’
‘You knew I was returning to visit my parents?’
‘If my wife and I go on holiday, as we did to Bad Liebensel last year, we each took one case. That was sufficient. I see you are packing two trunks,’ remarked Herr Eicke as he observed the amount of packing underway.
‘I am taking quite a lot as you can see to make the house less congested.’
‘I see. Yes, Otto told me. Well in fact he didn’t. It was a change in his next of kin which alerted me to your intentions. Not just a short visit abroad, I suspect. He has named Karl and Renate Richter as his guardians. A little unusual? Not so?’
‘Otto will soon be 18 and he will then have this house in his name. I cannot say how long I will be in Scotland but of course I have family and friends in Hamburg and so you can assume I shall return.’
‘I understand, Frau Richter. And I wish you a safe voyage.’
‘Thank you,’ said Fleur with a smile in the expectation he was about to leave.
‘You will leave with fond memories of our land and of course your much respected late husband.’
‘Of course, naturally.’
‘And Karl and Renate and especially Otto, you will miss them?’
‘Herr Eicke, these are personal family matters. I do not require your assistance in these details, surely?’
‘You are quite right. Of course I would not interfere with domestic arrangements.’
Herr Eicke stood up and went to the window where he gazed up and down the street. Fleur watched him and felt his pose was somewhat theatrical but the thought remained locked in her mind.
‘We are all insignificant as individuals. But together we realise Germany is on its way to recapture its prominent and rightful position in Europe once more and that England is, how shall I say, sympathetic to our cause.’
‘It always amuses me to hear that Germany has so much in common with England, or to be more precise Britain.’
‘Forgive me. Yes, Great Britain you are right of course. The British Royal Family has Hanoverian connections; the English are Saxons from central Europe and of course the Scots are pure Viking stock, not so?’
‘Well, some are, most are lowland Scots of Irish and naive Picts and Dalreadan stock but why should this interest you?’
Herr Eicke took a cigarette from a silver case emblazoned with a white swastika on a red background. He lit up and inhaled for a second before exhaling towards the ceiling then turned to look at Fleur with a serious expression.
‘Since 1912 you have been a German wife. You will be the mother of a brave German soldier soon and so I expect you will retain a firm loyalty to the ideals of our nationhood in all its aspects?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Fleur replied with apparent conviction.
‘It would be good if you would keep in touch with me. Not on a personal basis of course, although I would always value your friendship if it were granted.’
‘I am confused Herr Eicke. I am going to be in Scotland for a while. I cannot see how I could be of interest or assistance to you.’
‘Elgin is in the north of Scotland?’
‘How do you know that?’ asked Fleur indignantly.
‘Otto has only told the truth. He told me you would be staying with your parents in Elgin at their hotel, not so?’
‘Well of course I have to go somewhere when I arrive and it is my parental home.’
‘We have our contacts in that area,’ said Herr Eicke with gravity.
‘I doubt that Herr Eicke! What a claim. It is in a remote part of Scotland. I tell you it is most unlikely that you have agents there!’ said Fleur laughing.
Herr Eicke seemed uncomfortable as he stubbed out his cigarette.
‘You know the airbase at Lossiemouth and the garrison fort at Fort George?’
Fleur realised he was being serious and was playing his hand carefully and slowly.
‘If you know all these things then what use am I likely to be?’
‘Frau Richter, our agents may not have your ability to speak such fluent English. They may need some assistance, some reassurance perhaps. Or even just the opportunity to speak to someone who is familiar with both languages and cultures.’
‘I would have no hesitation in helping any stranger if they needed assistance whether they be German or any other nationality.’
‘Yes, but if there should be a war, would you help our cause? In fact Frau Richter just where would your loyalties lie?’
‘Why would Germany be at war with Britain?’
‘Of course not! But should it come to war, you realise the Gestapo has to secure its borders.’
‘Of course. That makes sense. But Herr Eicke I think you have a lively mind. You seem to enjoy playing mind games.’
‘Then let me make myself clearer. Your sister-in-law Renate and her husband Karl, Otto’s guardians. We don’t want any weakness there do we?’
Fleur found her hands were clasped together tightly.
‘Most loyal Germans are keen to attend rallies when the opportunity arises. I think I can say quite confidently that neither Karl nor Renate have attended such grand occasions. They may have to be given some encouragement.’
‘And just what do you mean by that?’ asked Fleur indignantly.
‘Times are changing. If Karl and Renate don’t want to change, then I must see to it that they do. Everyone must, no exception. We must all support and serve the Führer.’
‘Karl and Renate do too, as does Otto as you know. Karl is a busy dentist and his wife is his secretary. They work long hours,’ said Fleur.
‘It’s my job to mend the cracks, Frau Richter. You don’t see the cracks do you?’
‘I only see what is right.’
‘Then we agree.’
‘What exactly are you expecting of me Herr Eicke?’
‘Nothing at present, I assure you. We will contact you when we need to. Frau Richter, I am glad you see the need to remain loyal to the Fatherland. Rest assured that Renate and Karl will be treated fairly. As I said, you will hear from me or one of our agents at the right time.’
|
|
|
|
|
