She felt dizzy and disoriented, her legs rubbery as the policeman dragged her down a long hall, down a set of stairs, down another long hall. He pushed her inside a tiny cell and slammed the door. A key turned in the lock.

Ans collapsed onto the cold floor, weeping. Thank You, God . . . thank You, thank You!

CHAPTER 47

The daytime workers at Meijers House brought news that gave Miriam and the others hope. French and American troops had liberated Paris and were advancing through Belgium. But the Nazi military activity in the region surrounding Meijers House was steadily increasing. A line of troop vehicles had rumbled past the house this morning, making Miriam wish she were hiding in the attic with Klara and Tina. But with the housekeeper cleaning the second-floor bedrooms, there had been no opportunity. “May I have a word with you and Miss Willy?” Miriam asked Miss Hannie as they prepared for bed.

“Of course, Christina.” Klara and Tina had come downstairs for food and water and hadn’t returned to the attic yet. The women all stood in the upstairs hall, their faces shadowy in the candlelight.

“Those military convoys we saw today scared me,” Miriam said. “I think . . . I think it would be safer for all of us if I hid in the attic with Klara and Tina.”

“I understand, dear,” Miss Willy said. “Of course you may. How shall we explain it to Rietje? She’s devoted to you.”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to think of something . . .”

“I can give her extra activities during the day to keep her occupied,” Miss Hannie said.

“Or maybe I shouldn’t come down at all in the evening when Klara and Tina come down,” Miriam said.

“No, you have to,” Tina said. “You’ll go mad up there if you don’t come down.”

Miriam remembered sharing the tiny space in the chicken coop with Alie and Lies and her girls. It had felt wonderful to step outside sometimes.

“Let’s give it some more thought,” Miss Hannie said. “We don’t have to make all of these decisions right now.”

“Do you want to sleep up there tonight?” Miss Willy asked.

“I think I should. The Nazis know you have an infirmary now, and they’ve been driving past here all day.” Miriam knew her fear created difficulties for everyone, but she’d been running and hiding from the Nazis since Kristallnacht, nearly six years ago, and couldn’t stop now. Avi had begged her to survive.

“We’ll need to pack more food and water for you,” Klara said.

“I’ll look for some bedding,” Miss Hannie said. “It won’t do for the housekeeper to ask what happened to the sheets and blankets in your room. We’ll tell the day staff that your family took you home.”