“It was written in a type of code from what I can work out. For one thing, she used the term Liesl’s mother, instead of Trudi, as you would normally. Sally, I think Rachel’s mother knows her days are numbered and she was trying to reassure her girls she is okay.”
Sally held the cup but her shaking hands made the cup rattle, so she put it back down on the table. “Why do you say that?”
“She says a friend of Trudi’s is keeping them in food and they have to all stay in the one place. I think she is hiding somewhere. Reverend Collins says that the Nazis have a policy to clear the large cities of Jews. The letter has a Swedish postmark. Mrs. Bernstein doesn’t give an address. Rachel noticed that but she didn’t tell Ruth.”
“So, they can’t write back. The poor girls. I think the letter might have been worse than hearing nothing, don’t you?”
“I don’t know Sally. At least they know their mother was alive as recently as last month. Hope is a wonderful thing. Maybe a miracle will happen and she will live through to the end and be reunited with her family. She did say one of Rachel’s brothers, the one who helped Harry, had gotten to Palestine. The girls were happy about that.”
“That’s good news. What about the other one? Where is he?”
Maggie shrugged her shoulders.
“I wonder where Harry is, Maggie. Reverend Collins can’t locate him. I wrote to the Red Cross but they didn’t answer. I promised him I would find him. I don’t want him to think I’ve forgotten him. I wish he’d write to us.”
“I guess he will when he is settled.”
Sally stirred her tea, trying to find the right words.
“Sally, you will wear a hole in my cup. Take the spoon out and drink the tea, love.”
“Maggie, I’m sorry. For being rude and…”
“Sally, be quiet. We’re family and that means we stick together through good and bad. You needed some time alone. Now you need your family and those children need you.”
Sally smiled, her eyes full of tears. Maggie’s tears glistened, making her Irish eyes bluer than normal.
“I’m so lucky to have you, Maggie. I don’t know if I could ever live without you.”
Maggie reached over and squeezed Sally’s hand. Neither of them spoke for quite a while.
Later, Rachel translated the letter for Sally and Maggie.
My darling Rachel and Ruth
How are you, my dear daughters? I hope you have found a happy home together in England. I wish I could give you my address but it is not safe. Should this letter fall into the wrong hands, we would pay a high price.
I am living with Liesl’s mother and some other friends, it was easier for us to keep one apartment. Liesl’s mother knows someone, who gives us food and other things. I don't know who he is; it is safer that way. I think he may be one of them.
I had word of your brother. Gavriel made it to Palestine. I pray Izsak is with him.
Things are difficult here in Berlin but they are not as bad as they could be. We are still here and not shipped off East. They sent some people, including your father’s friend, Mr. Stanislaus, to Poland. They say he is Polish, as he arrived in Germany when he was six-months-old. It doesn't matter that he has been living here and running a successful company for forty years. His manager took over the factory without paying a single pfennig for it. So many families you know from school have left. Some to England, some to Palestine, some to America, and other places. Your uncle is in Holland. He tries to help me. Maybe there will be time for me to move there.
I know you tried to find me a job in England but it wasn't possible. The war came too quickly. I don't know if you will get this letter but I pray you do. Liesl’s mother’s friend may have a way to reach you.
I have to go now.
Rachel, look after your sister and Ruth, be good.
I love you both and I will see you again when the war is over.
Mama.
Rachel folded the letter carefully, placing it in her pocket. “Ruth kissed Mama’s signature before running upstairs. I followed her but she wanted to be alone.”
“I’m sorry things are hard for your mother, Rachel. What can Maggie and I do?”
“Nothing but thank you for asking. There was a note from Trudi too. I don’t know if you want to tell Tom. I didn’t say anything.”
“What did she say?” Maggie asked.
“Dear Rachel, I hope you get this letter. I pray you are near my darling baby and her brothers. Please give them a kiss from me. I hope to see them again.”
Sally waited for Rachel to say more. When she didn’t, she asked, “That was it? No signature or anything.”
Rachel handed over the note, but it was written in German.
“It is odd, isn’t it? Almost as if Trudi is hiding more than Mama. Maybe she is better known? Dr. Beck had many wealthy, Gentile patients.”
Maggie sniffed, blew her nose in her hanky before saying, “let’s hope some of those patients are helping his wife survive.”
28
August 1940
Sally pushed the hair from her eyes, her back aching. She missed Derek every day. Harry too. Especially on days like today when she had gardening to do. The front lawn didn’t exist anymore. Harry had started to dig it up before he was taken away and she’d finished what was left. They had to plant vegetables. Dig for Victory the government called it. Given the pain in her back, victory couldn’t come fast enough.
The children loved to play in the newly turned turf, as the birds flocked down to grab worms and bugs. She loved listening to Tom and Ruth’s giggles as they ran, sending the birds flying away.
“We should stop them scaring the birds, it isn’t kind,” Rachel said.
“Let them be children. They haven’t had much chance over the last
