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‘You sounded so serious, very intent. Nobody could’ve stopped you.’
‘True.’ Diedre settled back in the chair, staring at the painting of the autumn woods at Cavendon, painted by Genevra some years ago. Its russets and golds were perfect for this room. Her eyes remained on the painting as she went on. ‘No progress, I presume?’
‘Nothing’s changed, Daffy. Everyone’s on the move, on holiday, going back home. And some are simply flying their own kites.’
‘So your usual helpers have dwindled?’ she asked.
‘I’d say that.’
‘Perhaps I should leave the suitcase with you, Toby. Just forget it.’
‘You might have to, Daffy Dilly.’
‘Thanks for keeping it for me. How’s the weather?’
‘Boiling hot. Beastly, in fact.’
‘I don’t like hot weather,’ Diedre added, ‘I grew up in the north.’
‘Are you thinking of making a trip here?’
‘That’s a possibility,’ she answered in a quiet voice.
‘Daffy Dilly, that would be a treat for me!’
‘And me too. And perhaps I can just get rid of the suitcase.’
Ignoring the mention of the suitcase, he asked, ‘When?’
‘Don’t know yet.’
‘I’m free as a bird—’ He cut himself off, and then after a moment he continued in a low tone. ‘There is a person who could no doubt get the suitcase to you. But you yourself would have to ask.’
‘No. It’s not possible!’ she exclaimed. ‘I cannot. I should say, I will not. In fact, it’s out of the question. I must not involve him.’
‘I understand. Please come, Daffy. We might even have a bit of fun.’
‘We might. So long.’ Diedre hung up the phone, leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. Her thoughts were whirling, and she asked herself if she should go to Berlin or not?
Diedre sat in the small office for another twenty minutes, running everything through her mind. Her main focus was on the trip to Berlin. It would work only if they went as a group, and it would be quite a large group. Six of them altogether, because Alicia would not be going. A group was not easy to miss so they would stand out. But they were the Inghams of Cavendon, therefore protected by their nationality and their famous name.
What Miles had said earlier was true. Adolf Hitler did have a fondness for the British aristocracy, and the two Mitford sisters were a prime example of his preferences. Diedre was also well aware that a number of highborn men in the Establishment and certain politicians were admiring of a man she truly believed would become the dictator of Central Europe in no time at all.
She could not understand why they didn’t see through him; see him for what he was. A man of evil who wanted world domination. Part of their problem was the fear they all had of Russia. They saw Communism as a greater threat than Fascism. Diedre let out a sigh. She held the view that they were facing a grim future, and a worse horror even than in the Great War.
There was a light knock on the door and Daphne looked into the room. ‘Are you busy? Can we talk for a moment?’
‘Of course, Daphers.’ Diedre rose and moved away from the desk, went and sat down on the sofa.
Daphne took the chair opposite her. ‘Hugo and I have just been talking about this idea Charlie has of going to Berlin. We don’t want him to travel alone; on the other hand we do understand why he’s interested. So what is your opinion?’
‘I agree with you and Hugo, he shouldn’t go alone,’ Diedre said. ‘I think any person without a companion in that city is very vulnerable at this particular time.’
Daphne nodded. ‘I realize you know Germany better than any of us. You’ve studied the country for years and you speak German.’ Daphne suddenly smiled, then went on, ‘Not to digress, but I recall when you went off on a trip with your friends Maxine and Laura in 1914. Just before the Great War. And you came back full of warnings about the Germans rearming. You were very het up.’
‘Gosh, what a good memory you have. Yes, it was a very revealing trip indeed. I sensed they were readying themselves for war, and I was right.’
‘And now they’re doing it again. Only twenty years later,’ Daphne murmured, her expression grave.
Diedre nodded. ‘People in Britain remember the horror of it, the death, the destruction, and that’s why there’s all this talk of appeasement. But it won’t work.’
‘Why not?’ Daphne asked, leaning forward, paying attention to her sister.
‘Because Adolf Hitler wants the war, although not necessarily with Britain involved. That’s why he, too, is encouraging the British to come forward with the idea of appeasement.’
‘I understand. Getting back to Charlie, why can’t he go alone actually? I need to give him reasons.’
‘Because Berlin is the most dangerous city in the world today. It’s militaristic, in a certain sense, filled with thousands of men in uniforms … the SS, the SD Intelligence agency, the Stormtroopers. And the Gestapo. There is unrest, bigotry, anti-Semitism, and very loutish behaviour on the part of many people. Not only German thugs, but vagabonds. Hundreds of Poles, Czechs, Hungarians, Serbs, you name it, have flooded in, and Berlin has become a cosmopolitan melting pot.’
Diedre paused, letting all this sink in. After a moment, she said, ‘Here’s a scenario. A young man, on his own, minding his own business, goes into a bar, or a beer hall for a drink. He jostles somebody or something like that, and a split second later he could easily be in a fight, getting beaten up. People are very tense, volatile. And that’s why anyone on his or her own is vulnerable.’
‘I understand, Diedre; you have explained it well. Hugo and I want him to be independent, to fly, to be himself, but since it is unwise for him to travel alone, do you think this idea of going as a family would work?’
‘If you wish to please Charlie, which obviously you do, I can make it work if we go as a family. I’ve spoken to my office and I can have next week off. And I would come with you.’
‘That would be simply marvellous, Diedre. Actually, I honestly don’t believe we would go if you weren’t able to accompany us.’
‘I’ll make all the arrangements. We’ll stay at the Adlon Hotel. I know it, and it’s the best. All we have to do is decide when we should go.’
‘I’ll talk to Hugo, and we’ll settle on a date. Have you any thoughts?’ Daphne asked.
‘Yes, actually. Tuesday of next week. That’s when we should travel to Berlin,’ Diedre answered.
TWELVE (#ulink_cf65e3cd-9eb1-55e4-89db-5c583849a6ae)
Standing back from the cheval mirror, Diedre eyed herself, pleased with the way she looked. She had borrowed a simple chiffon evening dress from Cecily. It was delphinium blue, tailored, as usual, and had full sleeves and a flared skirt. Her only jewellery was her wedding ring, watch and pearl earrings. Now she pinned Cecily’s famous white rose silk brooch on her shoulder as a finishing touch.
When she went downstairs, Diedre realized she was the first, and then, as she looked around, she spotted Cecily standing at the bottom of the garden near the water’s edge.
‘Coo-ee!’ she called out, walking down to join her sister-in-law beside the lake.
‘Another early bird,’ Cecily said, turning around, smiling. ‘I knew you’d be down at the same time as me.’
‘Aha! I understand, you want to talk to me.’ Diedre stood eyeing her, a quizzical expression on her face.
‘Just to thank you for agreeing we should accompany Charlie to Berlin. I wasn’t sure you would when I suggested that.’
‘I didn’t want to deprive him of the visit, since he’s so eager and sincere about his career as a journalist. And, to be honest, it gives me an opportunity to speak to my contact in person.’
‘Have you had any news?’ Cecily asked, sounding eager, her eyes lighting up.
‘Yes. And it’s not good. However, he’s still trying.’
Cecily was silent, a worried expression suddenly crossing her face. ‘Other people have been able to get out, according to Greta.’
‘Those extractions were early in the game … several years ago,’ Diedre explained quietly. ‘The professor should have left long ago. Things are moving very swiftly in Berlin, from what my contact indicates. Nothing remains the same; everything’s constantly changing. Every day.’ She stopped. She must not appear to know too much.
Cecily nodded, looked out across the lake, her face full of sorrow, her heart aching for Greta.
Diedre put her arm around Cecily’s shoulders. ‘I think it’s a good idea to be positive right now. You never know what might happen. Life is funny.’
‘Thanks for being so helpful, Diedre. I do appreciate it.’
‘You cannot say a thing to Greta. Or give her the slightest hope. That would be cruel. And you must not visit her father when we’re in Berlin. Not under any circumstances. That is absolutely mandatory.’ Diedre gave Cecily a long, hard stare, her eyes narrowing.
‘But she’ll know I’m in Berlin, and it’s not as if I’m going alone!’ Cecily exclaimed, sounding startled. ‘She’ll think it’s strange if I don’t go and see him.’
‘I realize that. And it will no doubt be common knowledge soon enough, because of the others going on the trip. They’ll talk about it. However, the professor may well be under observation, as are many prominent men in all professions, and especially intellectuals. You can’t go near him; you could endanger his life.’
‘I swore on our ancient oath that I would be loyal to you. That still stands, as you well know. A Swann has never broken an oath made to an Ingham,’ Cecily snapped.
Diedre nodded her understanding and, relenting slightly, she added in a gentler voice, ‘I will ask my contact if he can arrange a meeting between you and the professor accidentally, so to speak. I must leave it at that.’
‘Just out of curiosity, is your contact in the War Office with you?’
‘No, and I really can’t discuss him. I’m sure you understand why. Let’s just say I met him … accidentally. No more questions.’
Cecily made a moue. ‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I was wrong, and I will do exactly as you say. I realize this matter is grave, not to mention dangerous.’
‘You’re smart, Ceci, and I trust you to keep your silence. Do you recall my personal code?’
‘Believe no one. Tell no one. Remember everything. Walk alone.’
Diedre inclined her head. ‘And now it is your code, Cecily Swann Ingham. Understand?’
‘I do.’
At this moment they saw the rest of the family gathering on the loggia, and Diedre took hold of Cecily’s arm. She said, sotto voce, ‘Look surprised when Daphne announces that we’re all going to Berlin with Charlie.’
‘I will.’ Cecily fell into step with Diedre as they walked up the path. She was now fully aware that she was helpless, just as Diedre was. Aunt Charlotte was right when she had once said that no one was in control of their own life. It is the other way around. Life controls every one of us, she thought.
All evening Diedre kept her face still and said very little. She answered any normal questions about Berlin and the Third Reich, and that was it. Any questions which were extreme, political or complex, she left unanswered. She simply said she didn’t have a clue.
Not one person in the world, including any member of her family, knew she was with British Intelligence. Even those loved ones who were dead had never known. Great-Aunt Gwendolyn was the only person who had once had the nerve to come out and ask her bluntly. Even then, Diedre had not answered her aunt in any specific way, leaving her to speculate, still not sure of the truth. Her cover was intact.
When any of her friends or family broached the subject of her work, she always said exactly the same thing: that she was in administration, doing clerical work like the other women employed there. Diedre always left it at that and they didn’t press her. That was the way it must be now. A blank face, empty answers, a posture and attitude that proclaimed lack of knowledge.
Later, when she was alone in her bedroom, she would make her plans for Berlin. And she prayed to God that they would work.
Cecily looked at the clock on the bedside chest. It was well past midnight and she was still wide awake, her thoughts running on unchecked. It had been a lovely evening, with sumptuous food and the best wines. Of course it had become extremely lively once Hugo had announced they would all accompany Charlie to Berlin.
Charlie’s whoops of joy filled the air, and even Alicia had wondered out loud if she should join them rather than returning to Cavendon on Monday. It had been an easy evening, with everyone on an even keel, and for once no quarrels.
After her conversation with Diedre earlier in the evening, Cecily truly realized that it would be a wild-goose chase as far as the professor was concerned. Diedre had made no bones about that, and had been extremely negative. Cecily let out a long sigh at the thought of the trip, now no longer meaningful.
Miles touched her arm, and she realized that he was awake. He said softly, ‘I can almost hear that busy mind of yours turning and turning. What is it, darling?’
‘I don’t know really, I’m just a bit restless, Miles. Perhaps it’s the wine, you know it often keeps me awake. It must somehow fuel my imagination … or something like that.’
‘The same happens to me,’ he replied. ‘I’m just as restless as you. Tell you what, let’s go down to the kitchen and forage for—’
‘You can’t possibly be hungry after that fantastic dinner,’ Cecily interrupted, sounding surprised.
Miles laughed. ‘I was about to say forage for some bananas. Don’t you remember how Aunt Charlotte used to tell us to have a banana if we couldn’t sleep, when we were children. She said it would do the trick, and it did.’
‘Of course, so let’s go and forage.’ Slipping out of bed, Cecily put on her robe and slippers, and Miles followed suit.
A few minutes later they were standing in the sparkling kitchen, which had been thoroughly cleaned by Anna and Bruno after the lavish dinner. A bowl of fruit stood on the countertop; Miles took two bananas, grabbed Cecily’s hand and led her outside.
‘It’s such a gorgeous night, let’s go and sit by the water,’ Miles murmured, heading for the lake with her.
Although the sky was a dark midnight blue, there were no clouds; the thousands of stars appeared more visible than ever in the pure air. The mountains stood out ruggedly against the sky, their white tips glistening in the moonlight. The lake was placid, like a sheet of silvered glass.
There was a low bench on the edge of the lake and Cecily and Miles sat down on it, the two of them enjoying the magnificence of their surroundings.
‘Look at the mountains up there, tipped with snow, and the great arc of the sky glittering with stars … how beautiful it is here, Ceci.’
‘I know. There’s a peacefulness, a serenity.’ She shook her head. ‘And not too far away there’s madness, chaos and rumours of an impending war. The earth we live on is staggeringly beautiful, and yet there are those who want to go out and destroy it. Evil men like Hitler, hungry for power and dominance.’
Cecily shivered. Instantly Miles put his arm around her. ‘I know exactly what you mean. The tranquillity here is unique and it has kept Hugo sane all through those difficult years. At least that’s what I think.’ There was a pause. Miles looked down at her, tilted her face to his, ‘Don’t you want to go to Berlin, Ceci?’
‘Yes and no,’ she answered truthfully. ‘I want to see what’s going on, and yet I don’t want to see anything at all. I suppose because I think I’ll be frightened by the ghastliness of the place.’
‘Nothing will happen to us, darling. We’re totally protected as a well-known English family,’ Miles reassured her, pulling her closer.
‘Yes, I know,’ she muttered.
‘Was Diedre able to do anything to help Greta’s father?’ he suddenly asked.
‘I don’t believe so,’ Cecily responded quietly, alarm flaring inside. She must now be very careful what she said. She could not betray Diedre.
‘I thought she had a contact?’ Miles murmured.
‘From what I understand, it’s an … old friend,’ Cecily improvised. ‘She told me the person couldn’t do anything about helping to get travel papers. Seemingly they’ve become scarce. None available.’
Miles nodded. ‘The professor, like so many other Jews, believed they were German and therefore nothing would happen to them. How mistaken they’ve been. Tragically, in fact.’
Cecily remained silent.
