Chapter 31
Clara stepped into the apartment and immediately felt the tense atmosphere. It was as if the air had been squeezed out of the room. ‘Hello,’ she called out, trying to sound normal, when she felt anything but.
Clara walked down the hallway, feeling like she was walking to the gallows.
As she stepped into the living room, her heart missed a beat.
Standing by the window was Friedrich’s friend and police officer, Herr Arnold.
Friedrich was standing by the fireplace.
His face was drawn and his expression grim, but it was his eyes that said so much more.
All at once Clara could see the anguish, sadness and fear.
It was then she realised there was another man in the room.
He was sitting in the fireside chair, smoking a cigarette.
He was wearing a dark suit, his hat perched on the arm, with one leg crossed over the other. She didn’t recognise him at all.
‘Clara,’ began Friedrich but was interrupted before he could say anything else.
‘Good evening, Frau Bergmann,’ said the man in the chair. He threw his cigarette into the fireplace and got to his feet. ‘You’re later than we expected.’
Clara looked to Friedrich and then between the two other men, before back at her husband again. Any reassurance she was hoping for disappeared.
‘Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met,’ she said, hating the shake in her voice as she tried for British disinterest.
‘My apologies,’ said the man. ‘Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Captain Boris Wolf, from Berlin’s police force.’
‘I see,’ she replied. She wanted to go to Friedrich and as if he sensed her need, he held out his hand, and she went to stand beside him. He put a protective arm around her shoulders.
‘Captain Wolf is making enquiries about one of his police officers who was found dead a few weeks ago,’ said Friedrich, his arm fractionally tightening against her.
‘I’m sorry to hear that. How can I help you?’
‘Yes. It was an officer by the name of Fuchs,’ explained Wolf. ‘I believe he saw you when you had to report to the police station recently.’
Clara looked over at Herr Arnold. ‘Yes, but that was a few weeks ago now. I’ve seen Herr Arnold more recently.’
‘I understand from Herr Arnold that your husband had requested Fuchs not be allowed to see you. There was an incident.’ Wolf was smiling, but Clara knew not to trust him. He really was the epitome of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
‘That’s right,’ said Clara. ‘He made some inappropriate comments which offended me, but I have been fortunate not to see him since then. Despite his comments, I’m sorry to hear about his death.’
If she thought that would be the end of the visit, Clara was mistaken. Wolf paced slowly across the room, before pacing back the other way. ‘Why don’t we all sit down?’ he said. ‘I have a few more things to discuss with you. Coffee would be nice.’
Clara glanced up at Friedrich who gave a small nod. ‘I’ll help you,’ he said.
‘I’m sure your wife can make four cups of coffee by herself,’ said Wolf, wandering over to the bookcase.
Clara hurried through to the kitchen. Her hands shook as she made the hot drinks for everyone, except for herself. The thought of coffee turned her stomach. She ran a glass of water and took the coffee into the living room, placing the tray down on the coffee table.
‘You’re a midwife,’ stated Wolf.
‘Yes. That’s right,’ replied Clara. ‘I work at the Wilmersdorf Geburtsklinik and before that the Charité.’
Wolf ran his fingers along the spines of the books, coming to rest on the book about midwifery. He took it from the shelf and absently flicked through the pages. ‘Have you heard of the Angel of Life?’
Clara fumbled with the coffee pot, sloshing the liquid over the edge of the cup. Friedrich stepped forward and took the pot from her.
‘Angel of Life?’ repeated Clara, biding a few seconds.
‘Yes. Apparently, she’s a midwife who has been helping Jewish women give birth.’ Wolf tapped the book with his fingers. ‘We’re trying to locate her. Do you know who she might be?’
‘No. Sorry,’ said Clara. ‘I’ve never heard of her.’
Wolf gave a tight smile and pushed the book back into its place on the shelf. ‘One more thing, have you ever visited the town of Neuruppin?’
Clara shook her head. ‘I’ve heard of it but never visited.’ She was glad she had her back to Wolf so he couldn’t see her face. She was sure it screamed fear.
‘It’s strange, you know. A nurse from Neuruppin said they had an unexpected patient transfer request. A nurse with a strange accent, possibly British.’
‘And you think it was my wife?’ asked Friedrich. Clara was impressed by how genuine his indignation sounded.
‘No. Not at all,’ said Wolf. ‘I was merely pointing it out. I wondered if Frau Bergmann knew who it might have been, because of the British connection, you see.’
‘I’m sorry. I can’t help you.’ Clara thought her legs were going to buckle beneath her. She felt herself sway and for a moment her vision tunnelled. The strong arms of Friedrich, catching her before she collapsed, circled her body and sat her down on the sofa.
‘My wife isn’t well,’ he said. ‘No more questions this evening.’
‘I’m sorry, Frau Bergmann,’ said Arnold.
‘Strange your wife should come over so faint all of a sudden,’ Wolf remarked.
Clara swallowed hard, focusing her eyes on the German. ‘I’ve had a long and busy day. I’m not feeling well, that’s all.’
‘She’s exhausted,’ said Friedrich. ‘Now, I must insist you leave.’
He stood up straight to his full six feet plus height. Clara could almost see Wolf wither under her husband’s presence.
‘Of course, Herr Bergmann,’ he said. ‘But I will need to speak to your wife again. I shall be in touch.’ He turned to Clara. ‘Goodnight, Frau Bergmann.’ Then, placing his hat on his head, he marched out of the room, followed by Arnold who mouthed an apology as he went.
Clara remained sitting on the sofa, her body tense, her hands in her lap while Friedrich showed the policemen out.
She was mentally bracing herself for Friedrich’s reaction once they were alone.
She knew her husband well enough to know that he would be suppressing all sorts of emotions until such time.
Everything he had predicted was coming true.
All his fears were walking right into their home, and it was her fault.
She had brought them here – knowingly. Why would she do that to someone she loved so much?
Especially now the stakes were so much higher.
There was something she hadn’t told him yet, something she had been keeping to herself, but she no longer had that luxury.
His footsteps back down the hallway towards the living room were slow and heavy, carrying the weight of visit with each strike of the floor.
She sensed him standing behind her. His gaze no doubt taking one last look at her before everything they had done so far was to change. She knew that. He didn’t need to tell her.
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered without turning. She looked down at her hands as she twiddled her wedding band around her finger.
‘Clara, liebling,’ Friedrich said with a weariness that if she didn’t know him better sounded like defeat. ‘We need to talk.’ He gave a sigh before stepping into the room.
Clara got to her feet, looking at him. ‘I need to tell you something,’ she said quickly before he could speak.
Concern immediately flicked across Friedrich’s face. He lifted his hand, cupping the side of her face. ‘What is it?’ Oh, how she didn’t want to tell him like this. She had envisaged this moment to be so much more romantic, more poignant. ‘Clara, what is it?’ he asked again when she didn’t reply.
Despite everything, she couldn’t help a small smile breaking out. ‘I’m pregnant.’ Her gazed searched his face, looking for a response. ‘I’m having a baby. We’re having a baby.’ He continued to look at her, not saying a word. ‘Friedrich, we’re having a baby.’
He nodded as if almost in a daze. Tears sprang to his eyes, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, one hand cupping the back of her head as he buried his face in her hair.
She slipped her arms around him. She had no idea what he felt about it.
Finally, he pulled away and kissed her. But a tear slipped from his eye. ‘Say something,’ she whispered. She suddenly felt confused and frightened all at the same time.
‘I’m so happy,’ he said, ‘but I am so scared too.’
Clara shook her head. ‘Don’t be scared. Don’t think about what is making you scared.
Not for a moment anyway. Just think about what is making you happy.
’ She pulled his hand to her stomach. ‘Your child is in there. You are going to be a father. We are going to be a family. That is good. That is happiness. Let’s just allow ourselves to indulge in this feeling, if only for a short time.
’ She wiped away his tear. ‘I am over twelve weeks pregnant. I had it confirmed at the clinic yesterday. Everything is fine. It explains why I’ve felt sick on and off for a few weeks now.
I’m hoping that will subside but other than that, we are both healthy.
’ She rose on tiptoes and kissed him. ‘Everything is fine.’
Friedrich pulled her towards him again, sitting himself in the chair and pulling her onto his lap.
He kissed her, told her how much he loved her and how much he already loved their child.
He stroked her stomach, marvelling that it still looked so flat and he hadn’t even suspected that she might be pregnant.
He told her what a wonderful mother she would be.
It was blissful. Clara was so happy to hear his enthusiasm and pleasure at their news.
When he gently moved her from his lap and onto the sofa, before taking her hands in his and looking solemnly at her, she knew the moment of escape into a world of love was over.