Memories of the Cottage by the Sea by Rebecca Alexander

Author:Rebecca Alexander [Alexander, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781803148625
Published: 2023-01-15T18:30:00+00:00

Aunt Hélène agreed she and Jenny should attempt to get an audience with the Kommandant.

‘I don’t know if she would survive the journey to a mainland hospital,’ she said, peering out at the sea. ‘A storm is coming in. No, a doctor here is her best hope. Get changed, look as well-to-do and respectable as you can. Kommandant Richter seems to be a kind man, and you met his wife. She doesn’t look like she would ignore a woman in danger.’

Jenny changed into a warm skirt and jacket over a buttoned-up blouse, knitted stockings and stout shoes. Aunt Hélène wrapped herself up in a woollen cloak and they set out to the garrison.

The Germans were based in the requisitioned governor’s house, south-east of the dock beyond the fishing boats and ships. Along the sea defences, a paved road ran around one third of the island, the only proper street. On one side, dozens of tiny cottages huddled together out of the winds along the shore, while opposite larger villas stood higher, looking over them to the sea. In the old orchard were new timber shacks for soldiers, a couple of what looked like temporary offices and the large house. A large Nazi flag was hung from the upper floor, as if it had just been conquered.

As they approached, Jenny felt smaller and smaller. A sign on the front door directed the locals to an office, where a bored young soldier sat with a pile of notepaper in front of him.

‘Yes?’ he barked, in French. ‘What do you want?’

‘We would like to see Frau Richter, please,’ Jenny said, in careful French. She knew almost no German, although she was getting to understand some.

‘I’m afraid that is impossible,’ he said, looking her up and down, sneering. ‘She doesn’t see the peasants.’

‘Nevertheless,’ Hélène said, ‘this is important. A matter of life and death. How will Herr Richter respond when he hears you ignored us?’

‘Kommandant Richter,’ he said, but some of the bluster was gone. ‘I will ask if an appointment is possible. Wait here.’

There were no chairs for the peasants to sit on so Jenny spent the next ten minutes looking back at the beautiful seascape through the window, the turning gulls, the boats at anchor rocking in the waves.

When he returned he had an unwelcome companion.

Herr Albrecht clicked his heels and bowed to them both. ‘You wish to speak to someone in authority?’ He spread out his hands, smiling. His long white teeth reminded her of his dog.

Jenny answered. ‘I would prefer to speak to Frau Richter. It is a problem involving our mistress.’

‘Come into my office, then.’ He gestured towards a door, but she stayed back. ‘I can get you an audience with anyone I choose.’

‘I see.’

When Hélène stepped forward, he shook his head. ‘Just you,’ he said to Jenny.

Hélène folded her hands together. ‘I will wait for you just outside. Five minutes.’

Jenny exchanged glances with her aunt. ‘Five minutes,’ she said, lifting her chin up.

She followed him through the hall,

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