Chapter 28
That morning when Lizzie was teaching her group of children the basics of knitting with mixed success, she heard a noise from the courtyard and crossed to the window.
A man, woman and child were hurrying behind Mother Clara who glanced around as if to check they weren’t being watched. Her eyes rested on Lizzie for a brief pause, before she ushered the visitors through a door and into a section of the building Lizzie had never entered.
It was unusual for a man to enter the convent complex apart from the priest who had introduced her or the occasional maintenance worker.
They had many volunteers, but they were mostly older women.
Lizzie stood at the window, pondering the situation until Liesel waved her hand to ask for help with untangling her wool.
The little girl’s skill had a long way to reach her level of enthusiasm, so Lizzie patiently showed her how to unravel her mistake and continue.
Her eyes shone, and Lizzie’s emotions stirred as she thought about what would happen to her if her real identity was discovered.
Lizzie hadn’t broached the subject with Mother Clara, but she was certain she knew of Liesel’s Jewish identity.
She must wait for the right time, and it hadn’t yet come.
After lunch just as Lizzie was putting her coat on, the mother superior asked to see her in her office. Lizzie followed the sister who escorted her and then closed the door quietly and left them.
‘Is it a good time for us to talk?’ Mother Clara asked, standing as Lizzie approached.
Alarm bells sounded for Lizzie as she contemplated what the mother superior wished to say that was so urgent she had been asked to come immediately. When they were both seated, Mother Clara asked how Lizzie was enjoying the work and whether she meant to continue.
‘Oh yes, Mother, I love the children and am happy to volunteer here for as long as my circumstances permit and for as long as you’ll have me.
If I need to get paid work at some point or move to another neighbourhood that would present a problem but for the foreseeable future, I am available as you see fit. ’
Mother Clara smiled, the wise old eyes in her lined face studying Lizzie closely.
‘And we are so happy to have you. You’ve brought a real sense of fun to the children’s mornings and the sweet souls surely need it in these trying times.
I must thank you properly, Anna and have been meaning to do so for some time. ’
Lizzie relaxed at the reassuring words. It was just routine and nothing to worry about. She was so used to being on alert that sometimes she overreacted and forgot ordinary people were just trying to live their lives and get through the war. She said, ‘I’m so grateful I can help in some small way.’
‘Liesel has grown attached to you,’ Mother Clara said. ‘The poor girl has had such a hard time, losing both her parents and her sister like that. It’s a joy to see her smile.’
‘She is such a lovely girl. I have become fond of her too and wanted to ask what you think the future might hold for her.’
Mother Clara’s voice dropped, and she smoothed her habit with one hand before she spoke and met Lizzie’s eyes.
‘I don’t know. We will keep her here if possible because she’s settled, but if she were to be selected by the adoption committee as suitable for a party-approved family, it would be out of my hands. ’
The words were like bullets piercing Lizzie’s tender heart. It was as she had feared. She didn’t want to show how fond she had become of Liesel, so she composed her expression and kept her emotions tightly under control. ‘What are the chances of that happening?’
Mother Clara pondered a moment, and her voice was tinged with sadness. ‘Her colouring is dark, which is why she wasn’t selected already. The blond, blue-eyed children don’t stay long as they are snapped up.’
‘I hope you don’t mind my saying, but that is truly awful,’ Lizzie said. ‘Innocent children categorised as though they are genetic prizes at a fair.’
Mother Clara inhaled sharply. ‘I don’t mind you saying at all, and I completely agree, but as I’m sure you know, there are many who do mind you saying anything critical about their racial superiority programme.’
‘Of course. Forgive me, my sentiments got the better of me, thinking of the plight of these orphans.’
‘There is nothing to forgive. In fact, I am relieved you feel the same sympathy as many of us here. We need more civilians who share these sympathies and can help in the outside world. That’s another reason I asked you in today,’ she said.
‘Whatever I can do, I will. You have only to ask,’ Lizzie said.
‘I noticed your reaction to our conversation about the Lebensborn programme and suspected you might lend a hand beyond volunteering, but I must ask, can I trust you to keep what I share with you strictly between us?’
Lizzie nodded. ‘I give you my word, I would not endanger the children or the convent. You are doing God’s work, and I am eager to help however I may.’
Mother Clara released a sigh. ‘That is good to hear. Thank you, my child. You saw the newcomers cross the courtyard earlier?’
‘Yes, I wondered who they were, as we rarely see men within the convent walls. Are they too seeking refuge?’
‘You could say that. It’s critical that we keep their presence here a secret. Do not mention it to a living soul, or we will all be in danger if the authorities discover we are sheltering them. We have permission to house only German-born children with approved papers.’
‘I understand. Is there anything I can do beyond keeping the secret?’ Lizzie asked.
‘That depends,’ Mother Clara replied. ‘Perhaps. For now, they need rest, and from there we will formulate a plan to get them out of Germany. It is no longer safe for them here, you see.’
Lizzie’s heart thumped as she risked saying what was in her thoughts. ‘Jews in hiding?’
Mother Clara’s expression was solemn, and she crossed herself as she spoke. ‘Indeed. Our brothers and sisters who didn’t escape in time are in hiding, have been sent east, or have already gone to their eternal rest. God bless their souls.’
‘It is a tragic situation,’ Lizzie said, her eyes brimming with tears.
The sister kept her head bowed. ‘There aren’t many who will shelter them now.
A friend of the convent got word to us about this family who needed to leave their former hiding place as it was compromised, so we have taken them in.
That’s what you witnessed, and I thought it only fair I warn you because if we are found to be harbouring Abraham’s children, you would be tarred with the same brush as the rest of us. ’
‘It’s a brush I accept with no qualms. We must do all we can to save them. How could we not?’ Lizzie asked.
Mother Clara tutted and shook her head. ‘Oh, there are too many who have not and who will not. They are too afraid or too blinded by lies and hatred of Jews to rise against the Reich. But come, I have said quite enough for today. Thank you for your discretion.’
Lizzie left the convent, her head full of thoughts of Jews hiding in Berlin and children being selected for adoption based on their colouring.
When she entered the boarding house, Frau Fischer asked if she had the latest ration coupons to give her.
Then the landlady invited her into her private parlour and offered her a cup of tea.
Lizzie glanced around the room, which she had never been in before, and wondered what had prompted this personal invitation.
It didn’t take long for her to find out.
‘You saw Herr Vogel in here recently and I wanted to take the opportunity to make sure you didn’t misunderstand the situation,’ Frau Fischer said, quickly coming to the point.
She was an efficient woman with a lot to do each day, so Lizzie imagined speaking to her had been on her checklist which she was now ticking off.
‘What you do is none of my business,’ Lizzie replied, her tone friendly. ‘We all need some companionship to pass the days. There is no harm in it.’
The landlady looked horrified and raised the palm of her hand as if to close down that line of thought. ‘Oh no, it is not a personal relationship of that nature. This is why I knew I must speak with you. My good reputation is all I have, and I can’t have it soiled by rumours.’
‘Frau Fischer, as I said, your private life is none of my business, and you can rest assured I shall not interfere or spread rumours about you,’ Lizzie said.
‘Well, that’s a relief, even so, I don’t want you to think ill of me.
Herr Vogel and I share the mutual task of keeping the house safe and compliant with the authorities.
You may not know, but he holds an important position where he oversees the neighbourhood, and I report to him regularly.
That’s all our meeting was,’ she said, her smile betraying her nerves as she crossed and uncrossed her legs.
‘I applaud you for your efforts in keeping us safe. You can’t be too careful. Only yesterday I read an article in Der Stürmer about how fortunate we are that Berlin is now Judenfrei, but we must still report on anyone who might be an enemy of the Reich.’
‘This is true.’ She leaned closer to Lizzie and whispered, ‘Of course, they say Berlin is Jew-free, but one must stay vigilant. There are always a few rats in hiding.’
Lizzie paled and couldn’t bring herself to speak.
Frau Fischer then stood as if the conversation were over, and Lizzie was dismissed. ‘I’m glad you understand how important my duties are. I urge you and your sister-in-law to report to me directly if there is anything suspicious in your day-to-day lives.’
Lizzie left the parlour. She had just witnessed the vile depths of the depravity of a civilian who had fallen under the Nazi’s sick spell.
This had been a day of shocking confidences, but the latest round turned her stomach, and her hands shook as she ran up to the attic and locked the door behind her.
What would Frau Fischer and Herr Vogel do if they knew the convent gave sanctuary to Jews in hiding?
Lizzie decided she must speak to Hildegard and see what more she knew about Frau Fischer.
She was the landlady’s friend. What if the Swiss woman had only pretended to be sympathetic to the Allies, but was luring her into a trap?
Dare she trust her with the even more sensitive piece of intelligence that was tucked in her secret raincoat pocket, waiting for Hildegard’s next business trip to Bern?