Page 5 of The Berlin Sisters
Her mother had always been generous, giving gifts to those who worked for them and always asking if there was anyone in their family who needed help. Her father’s driver was treated with just as much thought, and Ava was certain that when he returned to work, her mama would have a gift packed for him, too.
She went to retrieve them, her bottom lip catching between her teeth as she fought against what she wanted to say. They had been told that Germans were being looked after, that everyone had enough food, but she knew that wasn’t true – she’d heard the other women at work whisper about all the shortages. She looked up at the swastika on the top of the tree, not even remembering when they’d stopped using the beautiful gold star. She found herself wondering whether it had been thrown out, or whether her mama had wrapped it in tissue and stored it in the attic in case they were ever permitted to use the beautiful ornament again.
‘You’re very quiet today, Ava,’ her mother said. ‘Is everything all right?’
Ava nodded. ‘Everything is fine, I’m only tired.’
‘Your father says you’ve been working very long hours at the ministry. That you’ve made quite the impression on his colleagues?’
Ava nodded again, cutting a piece of ribbon for her mother to use on the basket and passing it to her. ‘I’ve enjoyed the change. It’s nice to be working where I’m needed, and I like being kept busy. Everyone has been very welcoming to me.’
‘You’ll be hoping Heinrich is home on leave soon? You must miss him terribly.’
At the mention of Heinrich, Ava’s stomach fluttered and she glanced up, knowing that her mother had caught her smile. ‘I do miss him.’ She could see him in her mind, his blond hair brushed to the side as he’d stood so handsomely in his uniform before he left, as she’d blown him a kiss from the train station platform.
‘Just imagine, a wedding as soon as the war is over. You’ll make the most beautiful bride.’
Ava knew she was blushing, her cheeks flushed at the thought of her upcoming nuptials. She’d known Heinrich since before the war, friends through their families, but it wasn’t until he was home on leave and her father had brought him home for a weekend that she’d seen him as something more. Two years had passed since they’d last seen each other, and since then he’d risen in the ranks within the Waffen-SS, reporting directly to her papa before he’d been posted away from Berlin, which was why her father had decided to bring him back to their country house. A few months of courtship had quickly blossomed into an engagement, and they’d written to one another ever since. Ava was smitten with the handsome young man that she would marry just as soon as Germany won the war.
‘Were you nervous when you married Papa?’ Ava asked.
Her mother laughed. ‘I wasterrified. Absolutely terrified.’
Ava looked up. ‘Of what?’
‘That he’d be a monster. That he’d be cruel to me or want ten children.’
They both laughed, because the worries her mother was describing couldn’t have been further from how she’d describe the man who was her father. Ava had friends with overly strict or even cruel fathers, but hers had always treated his daughters and wife with kindness, even though she knew he could be very firm and demanding when it came to his job. She’d overheard as much in the office.
Her mother touched her arm, her fingers light and warm on Ava’s skin.
‘When I was a child, we were all terrified of my father,’ she said. ‘He used to thrash us with the carpet beater for the smallest of missteps, and my mother would be next in line if she tried to stophim. I was always so worried that I would end up with a husband who was as cruel, or who took his frustrations out on his family behind closed doors.’ She paused. ‘I’m afraid there are still many men who rule their family with fear in the very same way that my father did all those years ago.’
Ava blinked back at her, wondering how such a kind, warm woman could have been treated in such a way as a girl. She could see now that her father’s gentleness was one of the reasons her mother loved him so, for he had a very warm manner when he was alone with his family, despite the way he could command the men beneath him. Even though he rarely talked about it, she knew from her mother and family friends that he’d been a fearless soldier in the Great War.
‘The man we marry has the right to rule his home in any way he sees fit, so if a woman were to have any doubts before her wedding, during her engagement would be the time to speak,’ her mother said. ‘Afterwards, there is little anyone can do to help. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
Ava blinked away unexpected tears, not used to her mother speaking to her so directly, especially not on such matters. But her words didn’t come as a surprise – every young woman in Germany knew the husband was master of his house and family. Just as she knew what was expected of her once she became a wife – to produce as many children for the Reich as she was able to.
‘Yes, Mama, I understand.’ Heinrich had been nothing but lovely to her, but they’d spent so little time together. He’d lost his temper terribly when someone had dared to question the relocation of the Jews in front of him one day when they were together, but he’d quickly recovered and apologised to her for his outburst, which had reassured her that it was surely out of character for him to behave in such a way.
‘Mama, Zelda is ready to leave now.’
Hanna’s warm voice pulled her from her thoughts, and Ava stood back as her mother took the basket and the gifts, presenting them to Zelda as she stood in their kitchen, her coat already around her shoulders.
‘Merry Christmas,’ Ava heard her mama say. ‘Now remember you’re to take tomorrow and the next day off work, fully paid of course. I’d like you to enjoy some time with your family, to thank you for your dedication to ours this year, and I hope you enjoy the treats we’ve put together for you.’
‘Thank you, Frau Müller,’ Zelda said. ‘But I cannot possibly—’
‘There are to be nobuts,’ her mother said firmly. ‘Herr Müller has said it’s an order, so you must obey. You wouldn’t like to make him cross, would you?’
Zelda took a step back, nodding as she held the gift basket close to her body. ‘Thank you.’ She peered at the things inside, as tears began to appear in her eyes. ‘This is too much, this—’ Zelda tried to push the basket back.
Ava could see that alongside the presents there was a piece of meat wrapped in brown paper in the basket, some sugar, the biscuits, and even some coffee and a loaf of bread.
‘You will only offend me if you don’t take it. Now go,’ her mother said. ‘I know your family will be happy to have you home.’
‘Thank you,’ Zelda whispered again, as she clutched the basket closer. ‘Thank you, Frau Müller.’
