“I’m so happy for all of you,” Ans said. “Let us know what we can do to help you prepare for the baby.”

“Thank you. I will.” Miriam gazed at these friends who’d become so dear, wishing she could express her thoughts better. “At times this past year I thought I would never be happy again, but —”

“It’s nearly impossible to be happy with this terrible war ruining our lives,” Eloise interrupted.

Miriam drew a deep breath and exhaled. “Avi and I decided that we would live one day at a time. We both know better than anyone what could happen. But until it does, we will be happy every single day.”

Eloise rested her hand on Miriam’s. “Dear little Miriam. I wouldn’t dim your happiness for all the world . . . but I’ve experienced the terrible things that modern warfare brings. Life in Leiden seems untouched at the moment, but the war will catch up with us one of these days. We’re already beginning to feel the effects now that the Nazis’ Reichskommissar for the Netherlands has been passing these new laws.”

“Eloise . . . don’t . . . ,” Ans murmured.

Miriam’s chest squeezed with dread. “What laws?” She needed to know.

Eloise started to reply, but something in Miriam’s expression seemed to stop her. She looked away, fussing with her teapot. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, Miriam. You’re like a daughter to me. You and darling Ans. Herman and I were never able to have children, you know, and so I’d like to think of you as the daughters I never had.” Ans leaned forward to comfort Eloise as her eyes filled with tears, but she shooed her away. “Never mind my silly blubbering. Let’s talk about happier things.”

She pulled a handkerchief from her purse while Ans smoothly changed the subject, talking about the baby again and asking if they preferred a boy or a girl.

Miriam couldn’t stop worrying about Eloise’s ominous words as she walked home. The Nazis had appointed a Reichskommissar. He was passing new laws. The laws the Nazis had passed in Germany had gradually restricted the daily lives of Jewish citizens until nearly everything was taken from them and they’d become prisoners in their own homes.

She tried to calm her fears by practicing her violin after returning home, but Tchaikovsky’s moving melody didn’t soothe her the way it usually did. Her fingers wouldn’t move right and she kept making mistakes until she finally returned the instrument to its case. She would ask Avi about the new laws as soon as he arrived home.

“I had coffee with Eloise and Ans today,” she began before he’d even removed his jacket. “I told them about the baby.”

“I’m sure they were very happy for you.” He took her into his arms and kissed her as he did every day when he got home.