‘Not as much as he normally does.’
Elsa touched the child’s forehead. ‘What have you called him?’
‘Dieter. After his father.’
‘It’s a good name.’
‘Yes. I named him after a good man.’
They shared a fleeting sad smile.
‘I think your baby is unwell. I will ask if you can be seen quicker.’
‘Thank you. I feared he might be.’
Elsa turned away and sought out a nurse. ‘Do you see that lady with the baby?’
The nurse nodded.
‘The baby has a raging fever and has not been feeding. I think he might be dehydrated. Will you take a look now?’
‘We have hundreds to see today.’
‘Please. It’s an innocent child and I think he is more ill than his young mother realizes.’
The nurse’s expression softened. ‘Bring her to the front of the queue and I will see what I can do.’
Elsa quickly retraced her steps to find the woman. ‘They will see you now. Follow me and I will translate for you.’
The woman hesitated.
‘I told you there is nothing to fear. I’m here to help you get the assistance you need.’
* * *
Elsa left the temporary military clinic and stepped into the daylight. Exhausted and a little lightheaded, she realized she hadn’t eaten since breakfast and had not drunk as much as she should. She fastened the buttons of her worn coat and headed towards the missing persons’ station to check if there was any news of her aunt, mother and sister. Before she could search the messages pleading for news, she heard her name being called.
A woman was running towards her, pushing her way through the dwindling numbers of Bremen inhabitants who hadn’t given up hope of finding their loved ones.
‘Elsa! Is that you, Elsa?’
The woman wrapped Elsa in her arms and she felt obliged to hug her as tightly in return despite her being a stranger. It was intrusive yet intriguing. Eventually, Elsa dared to disengage from the embrace in order to look upon her face. Her features nudged a distant memory, but this woman was not her aunt.
‘You don’t remember me, do you, Elsa? I must seem so much older to you now. I used to live three doors down from your aunt.’ It still took a moment before Elsa recognized her.
‘Frau Schmidt?’
The years and war had thinned her hair and turned it from deep, much-admired auburn to ordinary slate grey. Beneath her smiling eyes hung dark grey shadows and her body looked so very thin. Her smiling eyes suddenly ceased smiling.
‘I thought you were dead,’ Frau Schmidt said. ‘How long have you been in Bremen?’
‘A month or so.’
The woman stepped back but continued to hold her with outstretched arms. ‘I saw your message on the wall and waited for you.’
‘Do you have any news about my family? I went to my aunt’s house but there was nothing there.’
‘It was bombed. The whole street was.’ Frau Schmidt touched her face with trembling fingers. ‘I can’t believe you are here. Do you have somewhere to live?’
