Page 76 of The Pianist's Wife
The sadness written over Janot’s face was impossible not to notice, and not for the first time, Amira wondered if she regretted her decision to follow Léon. They seemed very much in love, despite the conditions, and if she were brave enough Amira would have asked her. But asking Janot would have meant asking the same question of herself, and she wasn’t certain she knew how to answer it. She didn’t regret her decision to join Fred – her resolution to keep him safe was unwavering – but some days she wondered if it had been her most sensible idea.
There was a commotion outside the door then, and Janot reached out and held her hand again. Within seconds two guards appeared, and if she wasn’t mistaken, they were walking directly towards her.
Please be coming for Janot. Please be coming for her and not me.
‘Amira Schulz?’ one of them asked.
‘Yes,’ she replied.
‘Please, come with us.’
‘On who’s order?’ Fred asked, appearing by her side and stepping slightly in front of her. ‘This is my wife you’re speaking to.’
‘You don’t need to know on whose order,’ the other guard said. ‘You might be guests here, but that doesn’t mean we won’t use force if we need to. Step aside.’
‘Where are you taking me?’ Amira asked.
‘To the doctor.’
She froze and knew that all colour would have drained from her face. ‘Please no. I don’t need to see the doctor, I—’
‘Amira,’ Fred said, gently, as if he were talking to a child. ‘You’ll be fine. As the guard said, we’re guests of the Nazi Party. We can trust them.’
Trust them?she wanted to scream, and as she looked around the room and saw Janot, Léon and a handful of others looking at her as if she’d just received a fate worse than death, she knew that she wasn’t overreacting.
‘Mrs Schulz?’ the guard asked, looking as if his patience was wearing thin.
She nodded, knowing she had no choice and praying that Hans knew what he was doing. Visiting the camp doctor was more terrifying to her than anything, and she hoped Hans understood what he was about to put her through.
They walked out of the door and into the sunshine, past the guards with dogs and towards the main camp. She noticed that there was no smoke coming from the chimney, and it made her think about what Fred had said, about running out of fuel. It usually went every day, puffing smoke for hours and hours, the ash falling all over the ground, and she realised that requesting her presence at the doctor’s was probably the only way Hans could get her out of the barracks.
‘I shall take it from here,’ came a familiar voice. She saw Hans striding towards them. ‘This is Mrs Schulz? The wife of the pianist?’
Both the guards nodded, and she listened to their brief exchange, with Hans telling them that he was more than happy to escort her himself given he was going in that direction. He did tell them that they should take a break and then meet there to return her to the special camp though.
‘Walk quickly,’ he said, as soon as they were far enough away from prying ears.
‘Please don’t make me see the doctor,’ she murmured. ‘I’ve heard stories about him.’
‘It’s just a ruse,’ Hans whispered, urgently. ‘Just listen, we don’t have long.’
She nodded, moving slightly closer to him so as to hear better.
‘The fuel will be delivered tomorrow or the day following, so you need to do this tonight,’ he said, before pressing something cold into her hand. ‘I’m going to leave this key with you, to the rear door of the barracks that is hardly ever used. You’ll have to be careful, as the guards with dogs circle the perimeter on the hour, and the lights from the watchtower capture that area, too. But there is a birthday celebration tonight, which means there will be fewer guards rostered on. Even the ones working will be distracted with whisky and cake.’
Amira’s entire body trembled as the gravity of what they were going to attempt settled over her, and she tucked the key into her brassiere to ensure no one could see it.
‘You will make your way to the bodies piled up by the crematorium, and it’s imperative that you use something to make it look like you’re in bed, for when the guards check the barracks. They won’t inspect further if they see lumps that look like bodies in your bed.’
She felt like she was going to be sick just thinking about what they’d have to do, and what might happen to them if their deception was discovered.
‘You’ll have to hide in the bodies until you hear me, because the only way you’re getting out of the camp is if you’re dressed like guards.’
She shuddered at the mention of the bodies and tried to focus on the details, but she knew he didn’t have time to deal with her breaking down. She could cry later, when she shared the information with Fred. ‘We have to steal guards’ clothes?’
‘No, I will steal the clothes and you will quickly change and find your way to the trucks. You will need to jump on the back of a truck heading to Weimar, disguised as guards, and jump off well before you get there.’
‘And what then?’ she asked, as they neared the building.
