Whilst talking about research, I’d like to mention that this book is a work of fiction, and that certain aspects of historical detail have been altered for the sake of the story. For example, certain people, speeches, locations and events are the product of my imagination, or the amalgamation or alteration of facts. One particular invention is the ‘Hausfrau School’. There were various Reich Bride Schools in existence at the time, offering courses in household management. In fact, there were various different courses aimed either at more working class wives-to-be, or others for middle class women or the ‘elite’ who were marrying members of the SS. The ‘Hausfrau School’ Hetty is threatened with is, in my imagination, more of a residential, finishing-school-type institution, hence I have differentiated it from what really existed by giving it a different name.

Writing this book has been a journey on so many levels. I hope that, if I have done my job well, readers will experience a sense of this tumultuous period in history through the eyes of Hetty and Walter. I hope that readers will also mull on the precariousness of the freedoms and rights we take so much for granted in our own times. And above all, I want to show that the lessons of the past must never be forgotten.

Acknowledgements

I owe so many people, so much, for the existence of this book. Expressing my appreciation here seems a small and paltry return for the time, generosity and support I have received from so many. In time, I hope that I may somehow repay you all. This book is as much yours as it is mine.

Firstly, enormous thanks to my wonderful agent, Caroline Hardman, and all at Hardman & Swainson, for believing in this book and in me as an author. You have made all my dreams come true. To Liz Stein and the team at William Morrow, and to Hannah Smith and the team at Head of Zeus, for your enthusiasm and insightful expertise, and for helping to shape this book into its better self. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with all of you.

To Dr Hubert Lang; Dr Andrea Lorz; Dr Thomas Töpfer at the Schulmuseum, Leipzig, my heartfelt thanks for your patience and careful answering of my many and varied questions. Your generosity of time and knowledge was invaluable. Also, to the late Peter Held, who, as a true gentleman in his nineties, welcomed me, a total stranger, with open arms and entertained my sister and I at a memorable and wonderful lunch. You so kindly dug into painful memories from a very long time ago. I am sad that you never got to see this project of mine come to fruition.