‘Where has she gone?’ I follow Mutti into the dining room. ‘The least you can do is tell me. I want to apologise. Say goodbye.’

‘I believe she’s found a position in the kitchen of a guesthouse. We gave her good references and a month’s salary. We were most generous, given the circumstances. Oh, I almost forgot…’ Mutti pulls an envelope from her pocket. My heart double flips, but the handwriting is unfamiliar.

‘What is it?’

‘It’s from Tomas,’ she throws over her shoulder as she heads back to the kitchen.

Fräulein Hetty,

I tried to find the courage to ask you before, but found I lacked it. I thought a letter would be the right thing for someone like you. I should very much like it if you would come for a walk with me Sunday afternoon (tomorrow) at four for one hour. I know how you like to walk your dog. So maybe you could walk me too?

I would also be most honoured if you would come to the dance put on by my HJ Schar in three weeks, Saturday. There will be girls from the BDM there you’ll know. Erna is invited too. But I would really like it if you would come as my personal guest.

With sincere best wishes,

Tomas Köhler

Oh Tomas, what am I to say? I need you as a friend but nothing more. Is it possible to say that to a boy without offending him?

I think about Walter’s fierce instruction to find another love and Bertha’s kindly advice. It seems impossible at this moment, but perhaps I should try. Not Tomas, of course, but maybe there will be a kindred soul at this dance. I shan’t know if I don’t go with an open mind.

All right, Tomas, I’ll walk with you next week, and come to your dance.

As your friend, mind. Just as your friend.

*

‘I’ve been called to a meeting on Wednesday in Munich,’ Vati tells us after dinner that evening. ‘This is it, Hélène.’ He exudes an energy I’ve not seen in him since before Karl died. ‘They are going to promote me to Oberführer.’

‘How can you be sure?’ Mutti breathes.

‘I’ve been informed, you know, on the quiet.’

‘Oh Franz, this is wonderful news!’

‘The Schutzstaffel is expanding so fast that those who have proved their leadership must be promoted to ensure discipline and absolute authority at all times.’ He relaxes back in his chair. Takes a swill of coffee. ‘I’ve been reliable and dedicated. Especially during the riots in November. Our men behaved in an exemplary fashion.’

I dig my fingernails hard into the skin on my arms beneath the table until it hurts.

‘Will we have to move?’ Mutti asks.

‘For now, no. Indeed, I’ve been tipped off that if the next six months go well, I shall be moved swiftly up the ranks to SS-Gruppenführer. There are plans that those with such rank or above may head up not only their SS district, but also that of the police. I know they have me in mind. This way we can oversee everything in the region, within the SS, the police, the intelligence and the administration. Brilliant of Himmler to streamline so the SS retain complete authority over all the agencies. That way there can be no competing or in-fighting amongst them which will distract us from our ultimate, and most important, goals.’