Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss

Author:Lauralee Bliss [Bliss, Lauralee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636093772
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Helen glanced behind her at the picnic basket sitting in the rear seat and then to the side window, watching the scenery flash by. Already she felt as if she had stepped into happier times, traveling these quiet country roads with very little traffic, passing farmhouses and an occasional windmill or two used to grind grain. They headed south and then west toward Leiden, home to some of the most beautiful tulip fields in the world. The skies were a lovely blue and the sun bright. She and Erik had exchanged little conversation since the trip from Amsterdam but were content to immerse themselves in the scenery.

Stifling a yawn, Helen wished her sleep last night hadn’t been disturbed. A siren had blared in Noord, sending the entire family scrambling for their robes and peeking out the windows between parted curtains as vehicles rushed by. Papa kept vigil at the stoop, but nothing happened on their street. They finally trudged back to bed, weary.

Visions of the upcoming excursion with Erik soon lulled Helen back into a dream-filled sleep despite the anxiety. That morning during breakfast, her brothers had chattered about last night’s commotion, with Lars trying to convince everyone that German raids were now happening in their neighborhood with people being rounded up and taken away. Mama scolded him for stoking fear. Helen could not think any more on it but busied herself with happier things, like putting together the picnic lunch and thanking the Lord she was escaping more bad news for this time with Erik.

Now she watched Erik struggle to reach into his pocket. He pulled out a guilder. “I’ll give it to you if you tell me what’s on your mind. You’ve been very quiet.”

Helen laughed and pushed his hand away. Then she drew his hand back and held it tight. His eyebrow raised before she sheepishly let go and folded her hands on her lap.

“I’m just grateful for this trip. Last night we were disturbed by the green police and a German patrol. Lars said it was a raid.”

Erik’s fingers gripped the steering wheel. “What were they looking for? Did they come to your house?”

“No. They were elsewhere in the neighborhood. Lars said the police are gathering up people in Noord and taking them away. It scared Mama to death.” Helen glanced out the window at the passing fields of waving emerald-green grass. “I’m tired of feeling afraid. I only want to think about today.” She changed the subject to brighter things. “I packed cheese sandwiches on freshly made biscuits.”

“Mr. Baas told us milk is being rationed. Customers must now have cards for it. More rationing is coming soon.”

Helen looked at him. “No more cheese then?”

“I don’t know.” He paused. “Maybe we should pay a visit to our friend Ephraim Visser, in Edam, on our way back and see what he has to say about it. And if we can, pick up some extra cheese for the families.”

Helen brightened at the suggestion of seeing the friendly man who had helped them when Hans disappeared.

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