‘We’ll have Professor Bromley’s report by then. His initial findings are very promising, but he needs to double-check the figures. Must be seen to be scientific – it’s the detail that matters. Can’t allow Goebbels to lie his way out of this.’

Wilde nodded. Scientific. Bromley was about as scientific as a newspaper horoscope merchant.

Eaton looked uneasy and, once again, gave Wilde a thoughtful look as he said goodbye.

‘If you need to contact me, talk to Mrs Kemp. She’ll get a message through. And be careful, old boy.’

‘I’m always careful, Eaton – learned everything I know from you.’

*

Wilde ate a lunch of bread and soup with Sunny and Klara, who still wasn’t eating much. Sunny chivvied her along with little success.

‘We need to talk, Tom,’ Sunny said as the girl retired to her room to read and Mrs Kemp cleared away the plates. ‘You say you understand why we’re doing this, but I’m not convinced – and I don’t think Mr Eaton is either.’

‘Oh, you’ve got me all wrong, Sunny. I think it’s a fine idea – just came as a surprise, that’s all. I thought I was just saving a child, you see – now I know I was saving the world, too. Bit of a shock . . .’

‘Don’t be flippant, Tom. This isn’t easy for anyone. I hated seeing that ghastly man with his calipers measuring the child’s face.’

‘Well, yes, that’s what did for me. Look, I know you’ve been through a hell of a time, Sunny – and you still have a lot of grieving to do. This has been tough for you.’

Sunny shrugged. ‘That’s what happens in war. You lose people you love. As for Klara, don’t you think she might actually be quite proud to discover the truth about her father? She seems pretty keen on the mad bastard.’

‘Well, we don’t know for sure that she is his daughter – and I doubt Bromley’s calipers will make us any the wiser.’

‘Oh, come on, Tom – you know she’s his kid.’

‘Then prove it. Tell me everything you know, Sunny. How did this all start? You can tell me now, can’t you? Everything about Romy Dietrich. You knew her all along, didn’t you? Did she come to you first – or did you hear the story and go to her?’

‘OK, Tom, those are fair questions. Let’s start at the top, shall we? You know Hitler has a sister called Angela, Geli Raubal’s mother?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, she is still alive and has remarried. She is now Frau Professor Hammitzsch, wife of a renowned architect. They live in Dresden.’

‘Jim mentioned that to me.’

‘Well, Hitler disapproves of the marriage – and Frau Hammitzsch, in turn, despises Eva Braun. She thinks Eva has taken her place in her brother’s life. So they now have little to do with each other.’