The Forgotten Children: Unforgettable and heartbreaking WW2 historical fiction by Ann Bennett

Author:Ann Bennett [Bennett, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture

Nineteen

Helga

The MS St Louis, 1939

* * *

That afternoon was the first of many that Helga and Ruth spent in the pool on the upper deck with Eleanor. She took them under her wing, and they were glad of someone older to take charge of them and tell them what to do. They didn’t mind that she was bossy; in fact, it made things easier for them. Helga sensed that Eleanor was missing ordering her younger sister about and that she and Ruth were substitutes. But it didn’t matter. They were just glad to have someone to look out for them who seemed to care about them.

Gradually, as the great ship sped further across the Atlantic, putting more distance between itself and Europe, the atmosphere on board grew more relaxed. Those people who’d shuffled up the gangplank in Hamburg, cowed through years of persecution, who’d found it difficult to smile and relax at the start of the voyage, seemed to be soothed by the sea air, by the gentle motion of the ship, by the good food and luxurious conditions on board and the attentiveness of the stewards. Most of the crew, despite what Herr Weiss had said about some of them being Nazi Party members that first evening, were hardworking and kind to the passengers.

Helga noticed that Frau and Herr Weiss seemed altered by the voyage too. They would spend their afternoons out on the top deck reclining in deckchairs, reading, or watching the youngsters play in the pool. They too seemed less suspicious and insular than when they’d first come on board. But Helga couldn’t help worrying about what Eleanor had said.

Most people on this ship are trying to get to the States eventually.

Was that where Herr and Frau Weiss were headed? Did this mean they weren’t going to be there to look after her and Ruth in Cuba after all?

One evening at dinner, Helga decided to pluck up her courage and ask this question. She was terrified of what the answer might be, but she and Ruth needed to know.

She waited until the first course had been served and the waiter had bustled away. Then she took a deep breath.

‘Herr Weiss, do you and Frau Weiss have visas for the United States?’ she asked in a loud, clear voice. The old couple stared at her, their expressions frozen. Herr Weiss put his knife and fork down on his plate and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. Helga noticed that his hands were shaking.

‘As a matter of fact, we do, my dear. We managed to get them in Hamburg before we sailed.’

‘So, is that where you’re going, then, Herr Weiss? Not Cuba at all?’ Helga persisted, her lips trembling.

‘We’re not quite sure what will happen, to tell you the truth, Helga, my dear,’ he replied. ‘Nothing can be certain in these difficult times.’

‘But you said you would look after us,’ she said, and although she was trying to be brave, she could feel her eyes pricking with tears.

‘What are we going to do in Cuba if you aren’t going to be there?’ Ruth chipped in.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.