His growing up would now be on his mother’s ground, and it might perhaps have been easier for him had he remained on his father’s – in a country where his appearance would not single him out as a reminder to its citizens of the sins committed in their name.

Her daughter’s broken marriage had brought to Lisl’s mind a passage from the bible; that the sins of the fathers shall fall upon the children. So it had proved for Christina, now listlessly clearing the table. What but the unthinkable crimes committed in the years Uncle Ernst still saw fit to drink a toast to had risen from the past to mar Christina’s happiness with the man she loved?

Though the Nuremberg trials had ensured punishment for many of the war criminals, it was well known that there were those who had escaped justice to make new lives in other countries. And it was not a secret that lesser figures had gone unpunished, returning to the positions of trust they had held in Germany before the war.

‘You are no less subdued than I, Mother,’ Christina interrupted Lisl’s thoughts while brushing some crumbs from the tablecloth, ‘and for that too I am to blame.’

Lisl sliced some Apfelkuchen for Ben. ‘Did you not hear your father tell you that word is not to be spoken in this house? But I myself will speak it one more time. Though blame is responsible for why you have come home, Christina, you yourself are responsible for none of this.’

Lisl left Ben to munch his cake and went to kiss her daughter’s cheek. ‘Now, Liebchen, instead of feeling sorry for yourself, though you’re entitled to be, let’s put our minds to practical matters. You cannot go on refusing to speak to Howard on the phone.’

Howard was at that moment helping Marianne into a taxi on the forecourt of Munich Airport.

‘Kindly don’t treat me like an old lady!’ she said with a smile. ‘And get that apprehensive look off your face. There’s nothing to be scared about.’

Howard got in beside her. ‘Except for the reception I’m likely to get.’

‘Will your father-in-law be home at this time of day?’

‘Normally, no. But under the circumstances – well, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was there standing guard in case I arrive out of the blue and try to grab Ben.’

‘Was that the impression you got when you last rang up?’

‘Well, let’s just say he didn’t hang up on me that time, but he was the opposite of friendly.’