Mr Weiss nodded. ‘That’s what I believe. But, as always, we are ignorant to the world outside our cage.’
‘Thank you, Mr Weiss,’ she replied. ‘Like I used to say to my patrons in the library, “knowledge is power”.’
He reached over his desk for a piece of paper and handed it to her.
‘Talking of the library. This is a list of vacant properties in the ghetto. Administration have demanded a typed list. They’re doing inspections in the coming days to make sure nothing is left behind.’
Mr Weiss let the words hang in the air, and Dorotha knew exactly what he meant. The Nazis would be turning these places over to make sure no one was hiding in basements or attics.
His voice was casually light. ‘If you wanted to make a duplicate copy and perhaps clear out any books left behind, then I’m sure you can put them to good use. There’s a small stationery cupboard. And it just so happens, very few people know of its existence.’
Dorotha opened her mouth to try and understand what he was asking of her, but he shook his head imperceptibly.
‘If anyone asks, I shall deny knowledge,’ he whispered. ‘I can’t risk the work of theChronicle.’
Dorotha nodded. ‘I see. Thank you, Mr Weiss.’
She turned to leave his office, but he touched her hand, pulling her back for a moment. Just long enough to slip a small key into her hand.
‘You’re a librarian, Dorotha, not a prisoner. Do what you can to keep hope alive.’
At her desk, she felt altered. Still broken-hearted, but now with a heat building inside her. Her cold, brittle heart was burning red-hot, like a sword that had been tempered to its toughest point. She reached into her pocket, pulled out the length of fabric and used it to tie back her hair, as if embroidering her mother’s strength, dignity and grace into her very being.
Dorotha glanced down at the list of addresses in front of her. She knew what she must do. It was audacious and seditious, to say nothing of utterly reckless to even contemplate such a thing right under the noses of the Nazis. But with all her family gone, it was a risk she was prepared to take.
The Secret Society’s vow whispered urgently in her ear.If people can’t get to the books, we take books to the people.
In that moment, she felt her sisterhood of librarians, as close as if they were standing next to her.
‘Very well, my friends,’ she thought to herself. ‘I will do it. I will start my underground library.’
7
Joyce
London, October 1940
‘Libertatem per Lectio’
Bulletin No. 14
Via the Red Cross
Greetings from Jersey. Library loans at an all-time high. The library has become the island’s spiritual food store. I miss you dearly. Grace x
‘I can’t believe I’m finally going to be starting up a travelling library,’ Joyce said as Annie came out of Barnstaple Library and greeted her from the top of the library steps with a wide smile.
‘Believe it,’ Annie laughed, dangling a set of keys in her hand. ‘I’m so glad you took me up on my offer!’
‘Well, if people can’t get to the books,’ she began.
‘Then we must take books to the people!’ Annie finished, triumphantly.
Annie rushed down the steps, and the pair hugged.
‘Goodness, it’s good to see you,’ Annie murmured into her ear, before pulling back to examine her.
‘Hang on, your hair!’
