‘I’d love to go up the cliff lift, but I haven’t got any money.’

‘The cliff lift?’ she repeats back to me, clearly not understanding what I mean.

I pull her after me, walking quite quickly, past what looks like the village green with the brook running through it. ‘This way.’

When we turn the corner, suddenly her face lights up as I point at it.

‘Ah. I was not understanding. The Personenaufzug. Yes, OK. We go up there. It will be fun.’

‘But I haven’t got any foreign money.’

She looks at me uncomprehendingly. I try to remember what the German currency is called.

‘Reichsmarks,’ I say. ‘I don’t have any.’

‘No problem,’ she laughs. ‘The lift operator knows me from the Young Girls’ League. We will be able to go for free.’

I don’t really know what this Young Girls’ League is, but I don’t want to appear stupid in front of her, so I keep my mouth shut. Mother and Father will be so jealous when they find out I’ve been up the tower without them. Perhaps I’d better not tell them.

When we get to the lift, something slightly odd happens. Lotti and the lift operator both raise their right arms to each other, keeping the arm straight and at an angle, and shout ‘Heil Hitler!’ The woman glowers at me when I don’t join in.

Lotti digs me in the ribs and hisses in my ear. ‘You must do the same greeting, Arnold. Especially if we want a free ride. Frau Holzmann expects it – she’s a very loyal party member.’

I’m not really sure what to do, but if the woman is going to take us up for free it seems only fair to do what she wants. It can’t do any harm, surely? So I copy what they’ve just done, although my pronunciation is rubbish, and I’m not sure I’m holding my hand or arm correctly. But Frau Holzmann ‘Heil Hitler’s me back and smiles. It seems I’ve passed the test.

*

As the lift climbs, I feel as though my stomach is falling out. The view is amazing from the lift cage when I do look out, but most of the time I’m looking at the floor of the cage itself instead, willing myself not to be sick. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea. Lotti smiles at me and squeezes my hand.

‘We can walk back down, if you don’t like the height,’ she says, when we finally reach the top. ‘It takes longer, but . . .’

‘Oh no. I’m not scared. It’s just the journey from England was such a long one, I’m feeling a bit ill.’