‘Frau Bergmann,’ said Frau Lange with a smile. ‘I take it you’re off on your afternoon home visits?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
The older woman nodded. ‘Is everything all right, only you seemed a little preoccupied today? Maybe a little on edge.’
Clara hesitated as her mind scrambled to find a suitable response. ‘Erm, I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all.’
Lange looked concerned. ‘Are you finding the work too much?’
‘No. Not at all,’ responded Clara quickly. ‘I very much enjoy my work here. My husband is having to work away quite often, and I don’t always sleep so well at nights on my own. That’s all.’
‘Ah, of course. I can imagine you probably feel a little more vulnerable.’
‘Yes, but he’s home tonight.’
‘I’m glad it’s just that. You do know you can come to me if you have any worries.’ She paused, her gaze fixing on Clara’s. ‘Any worries at all.’
‘Thank you, Frau Lange.’
As Clara made her way out of the clinic, she couldn’t help wondering exactly what Frau Lange had meant. It seemed as if she was trying to tell Clara something without actually saying it directly. Or was Clara reading too much into it? That was the trouble now, she was always looking for a hidden agenda, an unspoken message, wondering if she could believe without question what someone else was saying. This constant state of ambiguity was wearing her down. She hadn’t slept well the night before but that was because of the uncertainty about Max more than anything else.
She spent the rest of the afternoon making her house calls, which were all very straightforward, and arriving at Ursula’s house, she was pleased to find Ursula on good form. Clara carried out the usual checks and observations, although she was aware Ursula seemed to be in a particular hurry. She hadn’t even offered Clara a coffee like she usually did.
‘That’s everything,’ said Clara, packing her bag away.
‘And everything is fine?’ asked Ursula.
‘Yes. Your blood pressure is within normal range, the baby is a good size. I’m very happy with everything.’
‘Perfect.’ Ursula got up from the chaise and went out to the hallway returning a few moments later with her coat. ‘We shall go out for a coffee today.’
‘What?’ Clara looked up in surprise.
‘Yes. I need to get out of this house,’ said Ursula, buttoning up her coat. ‘I can’t bear being housebound for another moment longer.’
‘I don’t know if it’s a good idea,’ said Clara, anxious that Ursula didn’t suddenly overdo things just because she was feeling well.
‘It’s totally my decision. I’m fine. You said so yourself. Now come on, as my midwife, I need you to accompany me, just in case I don’t feel well.’
‘Does Hans know you’re going out?’
Ursula gave Clara a knowing look, one eyebrow slightly raised. ‘I just want to do something normal. Just today. Now, let’s not argue.’ She slipped her arm through Clara’s and escorted her out of the house before Clara had time to object. ‘Technically, you’ve finished work now, so you can’t even get into trouble with the clinic.’
‘I suppose not,’ said Clara. It was a rational argument and the thought of having a coffee with Ursula was appealing, even if the coffee these days meant the bitter barley brew everyone pretended was the real thing. Still, Clara couldn’t help but discreetly scan her surroundings as they went – a habit she’d developed, always on edge, alert for anyone who might be watching.
The café was only on the next street, a small family-run business where Ursula knew the owners. The place was half empty, a faint haze of smoke hanging beneath the low ceiling. A gramophone played something cheerful in the background.
Ursula eased herself into the wooden chair with a small sigh. ‘It feels strange, being out,’ she said. ‘As if I’ve escaped from my own living room.’
Clara smiled, folding her gloves in her lap. ‘I have to agree that staying indoors for so long isn’t the best idea, but likewise, we should still be careful.’
A waitress appeared with two chipped cups. The coffee, if one could call it that, smelled faintly of roasted grain. Ursula laughed softly as she lifted hers. ‘Imagine paying for this.’
‘It’s the company, not the coffee,’ Clara said.
They drank in companionable silence for a moment. Outside a tram rattled past, and somewhere in the distance a siren wailed briefly, then stopped.
‘So, we need to make a deal,’ said Ursula, solemnly.
