Chapter 13 #2
‘Come and sit here,’ said Frau Müller, gently pulling Clara’s arm. ‘I insist.’
Clara sat beside her patient on the sofa and the young woman put her arm around her shoulder. ‘I understand,’ she said.
Clara managed to pull herself together. ‘Please forgive me,’ she said, sitting up straighter. ‘That was very unprofessional of me.’
‘Please don’t be sorry,’ said Frau Müller. ‘You are a long way from home. I’m sorry I upset you. I shouldn’t have been so insensitive.’
Clara shook her head. ‘You have no need to apologise.’
Frau Müller squeezed her hand. ‘I’m a good listener.’
Clara dipped her head, her attempt at professionalism slipping away.
She reminded herself of the other reason she was here.
Maybe befriending Frau Müller would be a good thing.
She liked the woman and there seemed to be a shared loneliness.
Maybe they could be friends. And rather more tactically thinking, it might make it easier for Clara to get the documents Max wanted.
The thought of using a potential friendship was bitter tasting, but when she held the morals up against what might be happening to the women and children, her own personal discomfort was a small price to pay.
‘Thank you, Frau Müller,’ said Clara. She gave a small laugh. ‘Although it is supposed to be me who is offering you advice and support.’
‘Well, I think maybe we both need each other’s friendship.’ She gave a warm smile. ‘In which case, please call me Ursula. No more formal Frau Müller.’
‘All right. But you must call me Clara.’
‘Clara, how funny that it should be a German name.’
‘I think I was destined to move to Germany,’ said Clara.
The sound of the door opening and a man’s voice calling out, brought the conversation to a halt. ‘Oh, that’s my husband,’ said Ursula. ‘You can tell me about how you ended up in Germany when you come tomorrow. You are coming tomorrow, aren’t you?’
‘Erm, yes I can if you wish. Your husband just needs to put in a request at the clinic.’
‘Come as a friend,’ said Ursula.
‘Ah, there you are.’ Herr Müller came into the sitting room.
Clara was already on her feet.
‘Hello, Hans,’ said Ursula as her husband came over and kissed her cheek. ‘This is Frau Bergmann from the clinic. She’s my midwife. You know, the one I was telling you about.’
‘Frau Bergmann,’ said Herr Müller. ‘Pleased to meet you. My wife was very impressed with you yesterday. I’m glad you’ve been able to come personally today. How is she doing?’
‘Very well now that she is resting,’ said Clara. ‘Your wife’s blood pressure is stable although still a little high.’
A frown crossed the man’s brow. He looked at his wife. ‘You must do what the midwife tells you. I know you hate sitting around, but please ensure you take her advice.’
‘Of course, I will,’ said Ursula. ‘In fact, Frau Bergmann, Clara, is going to call in every day to check on me. So you don’t have to worry.’
‘Hmm,’ said Herr Müller as if he knew his wife better than to think she would rest. ‘Now, I should take Kaiser out for a walk. He’s making a lot of noise.’
Clara took her time packing her equipment away, as she discreetly tracked Herr Müller’s movements.
He left the sitting room and entered a smaller room a little further down the hallway.
Kaiser trotted out of the room after him.
From the open door, Clara could see his reflection in a mirror and watched as he placed his suitcase on a desk and took out several files and documents before putting his briefcase on the floor.
He flicked through some of the papers, but Kaiser wasn’t letting him off that easily and began yapping at his ankles.
‘You need to take the poor little thing out,’ called Ursula. She turned to Clara. ‘He’s very insistent when it comes to his walk.’ She smiled fondly at her hound.
Herr Müller gave a sigh, put down the paperwork and exited the study, telling Kaiser to stop barking. The command, or rather plea, fell on deaf ears. It wasn’t until they were out of the door that the barking ceased.
Clara’s stomach gave a small roll of unease as she frantically tried to work out how she could get into the study. It wouldn’t be possible today. She needed more time to work out a strategy. Today was more of a reconnaissance mission as she worked out the floor plan and the routine.
After leaving Ursula, Clara headed up the road towards the tram. It was later in the evening than she was usually out, and darkness had already descended. She pulled her grey woollen cape tighter around her neck to bat away the chill of the wind.
Clara did genuinely like Ursula. She could imagine them being friends outside their patient–midwife roles. Herr Müller was a little more reserved than his wife, but overall, he seemed to be happy that his wife was happy.
Clara had been washing her hands in the kitchen before she left when Herr Müller had spoken to her privately.
‘I wanted to thank you for the reassurance you have afforded my wife,’ he’d said. ‘I’m afraid sometimes she thinks about things too much. She’s quite lonely here in Berlin without any family and I’m sure you know her medical history. She’s very anxious, as am I.’
‘I understand,’ Clara had replied, folding the tea towel and placing it on the counter.
‘She trusts you.’
‘It is my job to inspire trust.’
Herr Müller had nodded thoughtfully. Clara had noted he hadn’t said he trusted her though.
She didn’t know if she was being oversensitive or just overreacting because she had a guilty conscience.
Either way, she was glad to be out in the fresh air – a welcome antidote to her threatening headache.
The stress of navigating situations of high stakes was something new to Clara and something she wasn’t quite sure she was cut out for.
As she walked, she was aware of footsteps behind her. She daren’t turn around. If it was the police then she would make herself look guilty. Surely, they weren’t on to her already.
And then someone fell into step next to her. ‘Good evening, Frau Bergmann.’ It was Max.
Clara was both relieved and unnerved to see him. ‘What do you want?’
‘The list.’
‘I haven’t been able to get it yet,’ said Clara. ‘I need a couple of days. The right opportunity.’ She carried on walking, not breaking her stride.
‘This isn’t a game, and we don’t have time,’ said Max.
‘I’m aware of that,’ snapped Clara. ‘But I can’t just waltz into the study and take the list. I need to work out a plan.’
‘When are you next there?’
They had reached the tram stop now. ‘Tomorrow,’ said Clara, grateful no one else was waiting. ‘How do I reach you?’
‘You don’t have to worry about that. I will find you. Don’t let me down, Frau Bergmann. Remember what is at stake.’