‘But true nevertheless,’ said the girl, ‘and it ensured that their children would be born and raised in Germany, for which my brother has not forgiven them. Since returning, my father, he has fulfilled my grandfather’s ambition disrupted by the Nazis, that the Schulmann Optics Company continue from generation to generation of our family. My father would have wished it to pass to my brother, but will have to make do with me. My name is Karin Schulmann and I should like to know with whom I am having this conversation!’

Howard introduced himself and they shook hands.

‘You know about the Jewish Community Centre in Munich?’ Karin asked.

Howard shook his head. ‘My wife isn’t Jewish.’

‘Nor,’ said Karin, ‘is the man I married. You and I, we have much in common, do we not?’

Howard then invited her to dine with him that evening at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, where he habitually stayed and ate in solitary splendour.

She said when she had accepted, ‘If we are to eat in the restaurant, I shall have to dress up!’

‘Would I take you to the beer keller place downstairs for Brativurst mit Sauerkraut, on our first date!’

Thus it was that Howard’s further entanglement with Germany began.

Chapter Twelve

In the weeks that followed Ronald’s visit, family matters continued to dominate Marianne’s life.

Her lecturing Harry on the subject of Ann’s devotion and his tyranny had resulted in a shouting match from which Harry had emerged victorious by feigning a pain in his head. Nor was Ann willing or able to accept Marianne’s offer to relieve her while she took a break. Harry had informed her that he would be dead when she came back.

The next crisis was Nathan’s learning that Ronald, whom he looked upon as a son, was not just leaving the practice but in effect departing from his life. Bridie had called Marianne to ask her, in Leona’s absence, to come and comfort her uncle, who had taken to his bed.

Again Marianne had thought, Why me? She had nevertheless driven post haste to Nathan’s home, but was not allowed to enter his room.

The news with which Leona had returned from Florida had seemed the final straw. Though his marriage was but a sham, how would Uncle Nat’s dignity withstand his wife’s deserting him in his old age? He was well known in the community and it would not take too long for the grapevine to do its worst. Added to which the support he might have expected from his daughter had not been forthcoming.

I’m no Sarah Sandberg, nor did I ever pretend to be, Marianne thought, blessed with unlimited patience, the wisdom of Solomon, and a selfless devotion to anyone and everyone in the family.