‘But that’s excellent news, Franz.’

‘They’ll come forward in their droves,’ Vati says with a flourish. ‘Especially the women. Ha! Women and their petty jealousies. You should see the letters I get. Many have more than a grain of truth in them, but not all. Investigating keeps the men busy and employed.’

My stomach plunges at the thought of someone reporting Walter and me to Vati’s newspaper.

‘Actually, Franz,’ Mutti says, pouring another coffee from the pot, ‘I have a plan of my own that I’ve been wanting to discuss with you. I’m hoping you’ll be able to help. And Otto Schultz, since he’s such a fan of yours…’ He nods for her to continue. ‘I’ve been speaking with the Mother’s Union of Leipzig. It seems there are too many… unwanted children. Good, Aryan children; perhaps the offspring of young girls who’ve had a summer dalliance with those HJ boys.’ She shakes a hand dismissively. ‘They are of good, pure blood and should be raised in the right way. The German way, rather than left to chance and sent to undesirable families.’ She pauses for breath. ‘Similar state-run children’s homes are being established in other cities – Munich, for example. So, I think we should provide a home for children of the Führer, here, in Leipzig. We can even add a school, all overseen by the SS, to ensure the correct procedures are followed. What do you say, Franz?’ Her eyes sparkle with excitement. ‘The soldiers’ home is running well and I need a new project. What could be better than children? After all, they are the future of the Reich.’

Vati nods his approval. ‘Good idea. Of course, we shall need to have each child tested for racial purity. Let’s discuss it with Shultz on Wednesday.’

I don’t want to hear any more. I want to be in my bed, in the dark, with my mind closed to all of this. I want to be alone and free to think of Walter. I only want to think of him.

19 September 1937

I wait in the grey light of dawn on the bridge. Steady rain is falling and Kuschi and I are quickly soaked through. I turn up the collar of my trench coat and tighten my belt. Kuschi regards me with sullen eyes, his head bent low, tail tucked between his back legs. He isn’t a fan of the rain and would have preferred it if I’d left him curled in a tight circle in his basket.

‘Sorry,’ I say to him as I stroke his head, ‘but you’re my cover.’ He gives my hand a half-hearted lick.

By the time Walter arrives, Kuschi and I are shivering. He kisses me gently on the cheek and brushes a damp strand of hair out of my eyes.

‘You both look miserable.’

‘Better now you’re here.’

He smiles and all the doubts crowding my mind are rinsed away.

‘Let’s find somewhere dry. I can see you need warming up…’ He frowns in thought. ‘There’s that old hay barn on the far side of our wheat field. We could shelter in there. On a morning like this we’ll be sure to be all alone.’