Nancy had been all set to run in Max’s wake. Now, as Ilse flew into his arms, she hesitated. What was taking place wasn’t merely a family reunion, one in which she would be an equal partner. It was something different, something at which she sensed she would be exceedingly de trop.

As she had never understood why Max and Ilse’s love affair had ever ended in the first place, she wasn’t remotely surprised at what was now taking place only yards away from her.

Heaving her bag from the rear of the jeep she slung it over her shoulder. She had waited for a reunion with Ilse for six years. Another few hours wouldn’t make any difference. Rather relieved she wasn’t going to have to be the one to break the news of Hugo’s death, she began heading back on foot the way they had come.

Once back at the bar, a reporter she had known during her International Herald days gave her the address of where he and a clutch of fellow reporters were staying. Ten minutes later, she was comfortably installed and hurrying to keep her six o’clock appointment with Eva and Lotti.

The second she put in an appearance, Lotti nearly bowled her off her feet. ‘Nancy! I knew you’d wangle a way to get here at the first opportunity!’ she said ecstatically. ‘Eva says you got a lift here from Magdeburg. I’m surprised you didn’t simply parachute in!’

Their mutual euphoria was so overwhelming they were laughing and crying at the same time.

‘And I’ve just met up with Max,’ Nancy said when at last she and Lotti were no longer in a bear-hold with each other. ‘I don’t know how long he’s been in the city, but he was desperately searching for your and Ilse’s address when I met him.’

‘Max? He’s here? In Berlin?’ Lotti’s dark eyes flashed past her, expecting to see him in her wake. ‘But where is he, Nancy? Why isn’t he with you?’ The urgency in her voice was so acute that Nancy laughed.

‘He’ll be meeting up with us the minute his reunion with Ilse is over. I’ve never seen two people so desperate to be reunited with each other. I don’t think it’s going to be only Paul and Eva’s wedding we’ll soon be celebrating. The way they flew into each other’s arms, I think we’ll soon be celebrating Max and Ilse’s wedding as well.’

Lotti stood as still as a statue, the blood draining from her face.

‘What’s the matter, Lotti?’ Nancy was totally bewildered. ‘Are you ill?’

‘No.’ Lotti forced the word through frozen lips. ‘No. I just need to be on my own for a bit, that’s all.’

And ignoring Eva’s sympathetic move towards her she turned on her heel and rushed out of the clinic, her eyes blinded by tears, her heart broken.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Berlin, July 1945

‘Max! Max! How glorious to see you again!’ Ilse clung to him as if she would never let him go.