Until such time as she found a job, Rudolf was giving her a weekly allowance, out of which she had bought an easel and some paints with a view to one day completing her picture of the Schloss Seeblick under snow. He also gave her money to buy and cook food, though they were seldom at home for dinner. She missed the laughter of Johanna at drinks time in the hall.

She looked for work in a half-hearted manner, stopping often for coffee to escape the January streets. One day, she found herself near Frau Haas’s shop and on a whim decided to go in and see her. The new assistant at the till was suspicious, but agreed to go to the office and ask. A minute later, he came back and showed Lena through, watching her as though she might steal something on her way.

Everything was the same as the last time she had been there.

‘I have something for you, Frau Haas,’ Lena said. ‘A train fare and the price of my lunch that day. I managed to get to my mother’s funeral in time. I’ve added a little interest as well.’ She held out her hand.

‘Thank you, Lena. You look well. I like your dress and coat. Are you married now?’

‘No.’

‘Your clothes. And …’

‘I’m a kept woman.’

Frau Haas coughed. ‘I don’t quite understand.’

Lena smiled. ‘A man I love.’ She gazed up at the blank wall above her former employer’s head.

‘Well, of course—’

‘But he’s not the man who keeps me.’

‘I’m sorry, I—’

‘That’s a different man.’

Frau Haas said, ‘You’ve … certainly grown up since I last saw you. You are quite … transformed.’

‘Time has passed.’

‘I thought perhaps you wanted to come and work here again.’

‘Is there a vacancy?’

‘Not at the moment. But if you leave your address. Perhaps you could manage the ladies’ floor. I’d want you to wear a wedding ring, though.’

Lena smiled. ‘All things are possible. Thank you for lending me that money.’

‘I didn’t think I’d see it again.’

‘Well, I told you. All things are possible.’

She smiled as she left the shop and began walking. The old hotel where she had her top-floor room had still not been renovated, she noticed as she went past. It was now more run-down, as were all the buildings in the district. The lack of money everywhere was obvious. It was not only amputees and war-wounded men who asked for coins, but the young and able-bodied of both sexes. To be able to return to Rudolf’s apartment, with its hot pipes and velvet curtains, felt like an unearned comfort.

Rudolf was at work all day in his lawyers’ office and at political meetings in the evening, where Lena sometimes joined him. The council of Rebirth voted to suspend its search for parliamentary candidates; there seemed little point in drawing up a list when there was no prospect of the Fatherland Front ever calling another election.