Page 32 of The Pianist's Wife
Amira followed the direction he’d pointed her in, head down as she fought to breathe, trying to push away the thoughts circling her mind, the things she’d heard that she knew she’d never be able to stop thinking of. That these women could truly believe the Jews were the puppet masters of the Allies, when in truth theywere being deported and murdered as if to purge them from existence... her hands began to shake so violently that she had to fist them to make them stop.
Amira was so lost in her own thoughts that she recoiled when a hand brushed her arm.
‘Hans?’ she said, surprised to find herself alone with him. ‘Is something wrong?’
She could see Fred looking at them when she glanced back at the crowd, his forehead creased with what she imagined to be concern as he stood with a small group of men.
‘Smile, as if I’m telling you something pleasant,’ Hans said. ‘If anyone questions you, I was asking you what I could buy Gisele for our wedding anniversary next month.’
She nodded, not liking the grip he now had on her arm, or the intensity of his whisper. She’d never been alone with him before, and she hoped never to be again.
‘Hans, you’re scaring me,’ she whispered, as he leaned even closer. ‘Please don’t hold me so tightly.’
‘I’ve had word from the Front,’ he said, his eyes boring into hers. ‘Maxi has been found alive.’
She gasped, her hand going to her mouth to try to stifle it.
‘Smile,’ he murmured. ‘Lower your hand at once and do not show your shock.’
Her heart raced as she looked up, lowering her hand and forcing a smile as he’d requested, at the same time willing her legs not to give way beneath her.
‘You’re certain?’ she whispered back. ‘You’re absolutely certain that he’s alive?’
She glanced past him at Fred, who was still watching them.
‘I’m certain,’ he replied. ‘I know that you’re married now, and I certainly shouldn’t be sharing this with you, but Gisele explained everything to me.’
Amira’s heart began to race so fast and hard that she thought it might explode from her chest. She took a hesitant step back from Hans, glancing over her shoulder at the roomful of people and wondering if she’d have any chance if she kicked off her heels and ran.
‘I know how worried you were, being a young woman on your own with no financial means,’ Hans said.
Amira looked up at Hans, tearful when his eyes met hers, as she realised that he didn’t know a thing. He looked as pained as she felt, and she knew what he was thinking: that no matter what they told him, Maxi would feel as if she had betrayed him, and Hans was going to have to be the one to tell him the news. It was the reason he was even telling her at all, and the thought of her darling Maxi’s heart being broken was enough to make her want to fall to her knees.
‘He’s coming home on leave. He’ll be here within the week.’
‘Please, tell him to come to me, tell him—’
‘You’re a married woman now, Amira. You know I can’t do that.’
She clutched Hans’ hand. ‘Please, you know that I would have never married if I thought there was even a chance—’
‘Telling you was a courtesy, Amira, because I know how much he meant to you. Now smile and let go of my hand at once.’
Hans left her and she did as he asked, standing alone to catch her breath, trying to look as if her world hadn’t just collapsed beneath her, until Fred came to join her, clearly sensing her distress.
‘Is everything alright?’ he asked, stepping in front of her to shield her from prying eyes. ‘Why did Hans pull you aside like that?’
He slipped his hand into hers and she held it tight. They barely knew each other, and yet in that moment he held her as if he knew precisely what she needed.
‘My Maxi is alive,’ she whispered, as his eyes widened with surprise. ‘And he’s—’
She stumbled over the words, emotion creating a catch in her throat.
‘He’s...’ Fred began, waiting for her to continue, his face appearing to harden.
‘Fred, he’s coming home,’ Amira said, staring up at him. ‘My Maxi is coming home, to Berlin, and I don’t know what to do.’
Chapter Thirteen
