“On the contrary,” he said. “This is considered one of the most successful operations the Stasi has ever conducted.”

Rebecca could not imagine how that could be possible. “You can’t have learned anything very interesting.”

“My team has produced a chart showing every Social Democrat in East Germany, and the links between them,” he said proudly. “And the key information was obtained in your house. Your parents know all the most important reactionaries, and many came to visit.”

Rebecca frowned. It was true that most of the people who came to the house were former Social Democrats: that was only natural. “But they’re just friends,” she said.

Hans let out a mocking hoot of laughter. “Just friends!” he jeered. “Please, I know you think we’re not very bright—you said so, many times, when I was living with you—but we’re not completely brainless.”

It occurred to Rebecca that Hans and all secret policemen were obliged to believe—or at least, to pretend to believe—in fantastic conspiracies against the government. Otherwise their work was a waste of time. So Hans had constructed an imaginary network of Social Democrats based on the Franck family house, all plotting to bring down the Communist government.

If only it were true.

Hans said: “Of course, it was never intended that I should marry you. A flirtation, just enough to get me into the house, was all that we planned.”

“My proposal of marriage must have presented you with a problem.”

“Our project was going so well. The information I was getting was crucial. Each person I saw at your house led us to more Social Democrats. If I declined your proposal the tap would have been turned off.”

“How brave you were,” Rebecca said. “You must be proud.”

He stared at her. For a moment she could not read him. Something was going on in his mind, and she did not know what it was. It crossed her mind that he might want to touch her or kiss her. The thought made her flesh creep. Then he shook his head as if to clear it. “We’re not here to talk about the marriage,” he said with irritation.

“Why are we here?”

“You caused an incident at the employment exchange.”

“An incident? I asked the man standing in front of me in the line how long he had been unemployed. The woman behind the counter stood up and yelled at me. ‘There is no unemployment in Communist countries!’ she screeched. I looked at the queue in front of me and behind, and I laughed. That’s an incident?”

“You laughed hysterically and refused to stop, and you were ejected from the building.”

“It’s true that I couldn’t stop laughing. What she said was so absurd.”

“It was not absurd!” Hans fumbled a cigarette from a packet of f6. Like all bullies, he became nervous when someone stood up to him. “She was right,” he said. “No one is out of work in East Germany. Communism has solved the problem of unemployment.”