Page 18 of Hearts of Resistance
Her mother shook her head, her smile sad. ‘No, my love, it’s not. He’s your father, and if he didn’t support Hitler then who knows what would have happened to us by now? That man has poisoned him as he has almost every other man, woman and child out there.’
Sophia did love her father. He had always been kind and loving to her, shown her so much warmth and respect, but to know that he was involved with what was going on, that he could be directly issuing orders that ruined the lives of so many Jewish people?
‘You must never say anything to him, never challenge him or give anyone reason to think that you don’t support Hitler implicitly.’
Sophia swallowed. ‘I know.’
‘I’m proud of you, Sophia. So proud.’
They embraced again and her mother stood, tears that she didn’t bother to dab away shining in her eyes.
‘What do we do now?’ Sophia asked.
‘We pretend everything is fine, and know in our hearts that we hate Hitler and what he does with every bone in our bodies.’ She sighed. ‘What of Alexander? Have you heard from him or his family lately?’
Sophia slowly filled her lungs, not sure whether this was the right moment to tell her mother that only a week earlier she’d snuck out to see him. She’d never told her mother they were more than friends, but Sophia was certain that she’d guessed. Part of her had always wondered if her mother didn’t want to know, simply so she couldn’t be accused of hiding it from her husband if she was ever questioned.
‘He’s still in Berlin,’ she said. ‘I’m hoping his family might leave soon.’
‘They should. I wish we could somehow click our fingers and transport them all to somewhere safe. Only the Nazis hate the Jews so vehemently, Sophia. Only the Germans.’
‘I know.’
‘If you love him, then don’t stop. Promise me you won’t stop loving him because of who he is?’
‘I promise,’ she whispered in reply.
‘But don’t ever tell your father about him, will you? I don’t even want him to know you were ever friends with him. He would never forgive you.’ Her mother’s voice was husky, deeper than usual. ‘He could have awful things done to Alex’s family, Sophia. Things I don’t ever want to imagine happening to someone we know.’
‘I understand.’
The gravel crunched beneath Sophia’s shoes and she looked up to the big house ahead of her, memories fading. She always struggled with the clash of thoughts inside her mind and today was no different; growing up, her home had been full of laughter and love, but it all seemed so fraudulent now. How her father could have been so kind to her, so gentle and full of praise, astounded her when it was so at odds with the man he’d become. Not to her, but to others. She hoped that once this was over he’d reflect and realise the wrongs he’d done.
She saw someone running up ahead, darting out of the house and screaming something. Sophia squinted and tried to hear. Was that Greta? The woman had worked in their home for years, had been very loyal to her mother and kept the house running despite the shortages and loss of staff. Sophia started to walk faster, then broke into a run.
‘Greta!’ she called out. ‘Greta! What’s wrong?’
‘No!’ Greta screamed, running full steam towards her now. ‘Go! You can’t be here.’
Sophia slowed before she crashed straight into the other woman. She was crying, her eyes red and swollen, so puffy that Sophia could tell she’d been upset for some time. She wrapped her arms around her to hold her, but Greta pushed back, her face full of terror.
‘Sophia, you must go. Your father, if he sees you, if...’
‘What is it, Greta? What’s got you so upset?’
Why would her father not want to see her?
She looked at the house, heard men shouting and wondered what it was that Greta was so scared of. Sophia started to walk, had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she shouldn’t run away, that she needed to see what was going on in her home.
‘No!’ Greta yelled, snatching at her hand and holding her tight around the wrist.
‘Tell me what’s going on or I’ll find out for myself,’ Sophia snapped, struggling to pull her arm away.
‘Sophia, it’s your mother. She’s...’
Sophia felt like all the blood had drained from her face, her entire body frozen as she stood and stared at Greta. Something terrible had happened, she knew it.
‘My mother?’ she managed to splutter.
