As they explored, it seemed to Max that every room held a delight, a surprise, something ten times grander than he had ever seen. Max’s bedroom was about three times bigger than his room in Vienna.

He couldn’t stop smiling all day.

The next morning, Max barely touched his breakfast. He was starting his new school that day and his stomach was tying itself in knots. He wasn’t sure if it was nerves or excitement; probably a bit of both. His chest twisted and tightened when he imagined school without either Leo or Elsa beside him. But then he reminded himself that this was his chance to have a fresh start. He could reinvent himself in Munich. He didn’t have to be the boy who only had two friends. He could be anyone he wanted to be. Maybe even someone his father could be proud of.

His father gave him some stiff words of advice before he left for school. ‘Don’t stand out. Don’t speak out. Do exactly what your teachers tell you and copy the other boys if you are unsure.’

Max nodded. ‘Yes, Father,’ he said.

‘And don’t let me down.’

‘I won’t, I promise, Father.’

Just an hour later, Max was in his new classroom waiting for the teacher to arrive. As soon as the man walked into the room, every boy instantly stood to attention. Max jumped out of his seat to do the same.

The teacher stood in front of the class and flung his right arm out in front of him, hand in the air, palm facing down, and shouted, ‘Heil Hitler!’

Instantly, every child in the room did the same in reply. Max’s teachers at his old school had been instructed to do the same thing just before he’d left, so he had become used to the new greeting. But here the response was so instant, so instinctive, that Max was a moment behind everyone else.

The teacher noticed that Max had been out of step with the others and stared him in the eye. ‘New boy,’ he said.

‘Yes, sir,’ Max said, hoping that no one could hear the nervous wobble in his voice.

‘You will be quicker next time,’ the teacher said. ‘The Führer does not stand for tardiness.’

Max nodded fiercely. ‘Yes, sir. Sorry, sir,’ he said.

Then they were seated and the school day began.