‘I am assisting with the transportation of patients,’ said Clara.
Arnold looked at her for a long moment. ‘Don’t let me keep you. Goodbye, Frau Bergmann.’
As Arnold and the other officer, walked on by, Clara closed her eyes momentarily and took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. She turned to Max. ‘I need to go. I’ll be late.’
Max caught Clara’s arm. ‘Thank you.’
‘Everything I said about the other night was true.’ She met his gaze.
Max nodded. ‘I’m sorry but I had to ask. I had to be sure.’
‘And I’ve passed the test?’ She could hear the bitterness of her words. Clara sighed. ‘I’m not the enemy.’
‘I know that.’ He let go of her arm. ‘You’re leaving, aren’t you? Escaping.’
She nodded. ‘I have to. It’s not about me anymore.’ Her hand automatically went to her stomach.
A gesture not missed by Max. He glanced down at her hand and back to her. ‘I understand. Good luck.’
‘And to you,’ said Clara softly. She squeezed his hand, before walking away.
Chapter 35
A few minutes later, Clara arrived at the pickup point where two military personnel waited beside a canvas-covered truck. Three nurses were already assembled, making Clara the fourth.
‘You must be Frida Hoffmann,’ said one of the guards, checking his clipboard. ‘Reich Health Office, Supplies Division.’
Clara nodded, her mouth dry. ‘Ja.’
‘Papers.’ He held out his hand.
Clara’s fingers trembled slightly as she retrieved the forged documents from her bag. The soldier flicked through them with practised efficiency, marked something on his clipboard and handed them back. ‘Last minute addition, I see.’
Clara shrugged, trying to appear casual. ‘Danke,’ she said as she put the papers back into her bag.
The guard gestured for Clara to join the other nurses. He followed her over. ‘We will get moving before the streets are too busy.’
As Clara climbed into the back of the vehicle with the other nurses, her thoughts drifted to Max, probably still processing everything she’d told him about Paul’s final moments. How many others were trapped in this city with no hope of escape? Here she was, heading for freedom while Marie faced interrogation and probably death in a cell somewhere.
‘What’s your name?’ asked the blonde nurse, settling beside her.
‘Frida Hoffmann.’ The false name felt strange on her tongue.
‘I’m Alma,’ the woman replied warmly. ‘Where have you come from?’
‘I’m with the Reich Health Office,’ she replied, hoping she sounded official and confident. ‘Medical Supplies Division.’
‘I didn’t know an official was coming with us,’ said one of the other nurses, as she eyed Clara with caution.
‘I have to check the supplies being transported and assess what other supplies are needed to be transferred to the hospital in Lille.’
This seemed to appease the nurses.
‘Are you from Berlin originally?’ asked Alma.
Thank goodness Friedrich had prepared her for this question. Clara repeated his suggested answer about the Swiss border region.
‘Ah, that explains the accent.’ Alma nodded with understanding.
