She pulled them both close. Here in the Thuringian forest, the March night air was still cold. She felt them shivering and tried to stop her own trembles – even though they were nothing to do with the cold.

‘We’re going on a big adventure,’ said Müller. ‘And after that, we’ll all be living together in a new house.’

‘With Uncle Werner?’ asked Jannika.

‘I don’t know about that. Perhaps. We’ll see.’ It was true. What would she and Tilsner do? It was the least of her worries.

Meanwhile, Jäger had started reasoning with Jens. A shouting match was ensuing, which made Müller, and no doubt Tilsner and the other man – Tilsner’s fixer – nervous.

‘Shh,’ hissed Tilsner. ‘Everyone can hear all that from miles around.’

Jäger climbed back out of the car. ‘He’s refusing to get out.’

‘If I were you I’d tell him he’d better,’ replied Tilsner. ‘That car is going to be crashed off the road by Manfred here. If Jens is still inside, he’ll be going over the edge with it.’

After more cajoling, Jens finally emerged with his father. But even in the darkness, Müller could tell from his body language that he still hadn’t accepted what was going to happen. She couldn’t worry about that. It was Jäger’s problem.

Tilsner and the other man continued to fiddle with various bits of apparatus in the middle of the clearing. Finally, they indicated they were ready.

‘I’m firing it up,’ said Tilsner.

As he lit the flame, in the ghostly light it became clear what was going on. Müller already knew, of course.

‘What is it, Mutti?’ asked Johannes.

‘It’s a giant balloon. We’re going on a balloon ride.’

‘Oh wow!’ exclaimed Johannes.

‘I’m frightened, Mutti,’ said Jannika. ‘I don’t want to go.’

‘Shh. You’ll be fine.’ Müller hugged her daughter.

Gradually the balloon started to take shape as it inflated, first lying on its side on the ground, then gradually rising up, until the stay ropes holding the makeshift passenger basket became more and more taut.

Tilsner held out his hand. ‘Pass me the twins.’

Johannes was no trouble, excited by the adventure. Jannika, though, was reluctant to let go of her mother until Müller promised she was getting in next. When she did, she and Tilsner looked back at Jäger.

Jens was still arguing with him.

‘Are you coming or not?’ shouted Tilsner. ‘We’ll have to release the stays.’

Jäger made to enter the basket, trying to drag Jens with him. But the boy yanked his arm away.

‘Are we leaving him behind?’ asked Tilsner.

Jäger looked back longingly at his son, tears in his eyes. ‘Yes,’ he replied, finally, clearly hoping the boy would change his mind when faced with such a stark choice.