Rachel's Legacy by Julie Thomas

Author:Julie Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2016-02-09T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Berlin

June 1947

Levi carried the box of violins and Simon carried the shoebox. As they rounded a corner they came upon a line of people queuing at the first open shop they had seen. Some of them turned and, with curious expressions and dull, exhausted eyes, looked at the two men. Levi pulled Simon back around the corner and out of view.

‘They’re waiting for rations. If they think we have food they might attack us. Come, this way,’ he pointed down another street.

‘I know how to fight for food,’ Simon said softly as he followed his brother.

An hour later and back in the western section, this time in the United Kingdom zone, they found the street. Levi counted the doors until he came to the one beside the alcove where they had sheltered all those years ago. He put down the box of violins and knocked.

‘She may not be here anymore. We don’t even know if she survived, so we’ll only —’

He was interrupted by the sound of a chain being unlatched.

‘Who is it?’ asked a familiar voice from inside. The men grinned at each other.

‘Simon and Levi,’ they said simultaneously.

The door swung open.

‘Oh, my God, it’s my boys!’

She was older, thinner, greyer, more stooped and lined, but still unmistakeably Maria Weiss. Their saviour of the Kristallnacht. She hugged Simon very tightly for a long moment, and then Levi bent down to receive his kiss. There were tears on all of their cheeks. At last, someone from their past.

‘Come up, come up. You must be exhausted and hungry and there is so much to know.’

She ushered them into the bare hallway, still lit by a naked bulb hanging from the ceiling. They followed her up the steep staircase and through the door. There were still two chairs and an overstuffed red sofa, but there was no ginger cat.

‘Where is Wolfgang?’ Simon asked.

She put her hands on either side of his cheeks and patted. ‘Oh bless you, you remember him. He is gone. I would like to say he died of old age, but I very much suspect someone ate him.’

Levi laughed. ‘Well, let’s hope if that’s the case he sustained some worthy soul for a day or so,’ he said.

She gestured towards the seats. ‘Before we talk, what can I give you? The rationing is so severe, I have a little bread and butter and some jam and enough coffee for us to enjoy a cup. I wish I could give you cake!’

‘You are celebration enough,’ Simon said as he sat down. ‘And we hope you have news. Of family.’

She stopped on her slow journey to the kitchen and turned to face him. The grief was etched deep into her face, and her eyes filled again.

‘Oh, darling boy, I wish it was better news. I fear we all have some tears to shed tonight.’

They told her what had happened to them. Levi gave his usual brief explanation about his eventful journey to London before the war, and Simon told her the basics about Dachau.

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