They went downstairs and Helen was ready. She had on an auburn wig and was dressed smartly in a grey trouser suit. The colour of her eyes were different. She would not be recognised, they all knew. She took the babies and made for the back door.
“I’ll be back in the morning,” she said and went. Shirley looked at Johann.
“Will she be okay?” she asked.
“Yes, she’ll be fine. She’s done things like this a lot when she was in East Germany though not travelling out of the country, of course. I’m really sorry, Shirley.”
“So am I. Do something to distract us, Johann, which has nothing to do with what’s going on.”
“Cards?” Shirley screwed her face.
“Monopoly?” He smiled weakly. “I need distracting myself. Shall we watch a film?”
“Alright then. We’ll work. Show us in detail what’s going to happen to celebrate the reunification. Why the third particularly?”
Johann took a file and read from it. It was decided by the Volkskammer because of the impending economical and political collapse of the GDR, he said. The Helsinki Conference was set for second October where the foreign ministers would be informed of the results in the Two-plus-Four Talk. At the beginning of July the governments of both German states had decided on the schedule.
Elections in the GDR would be held on fourteenth October and a common election for the entire country on second December. The decision on the dates had been finally made on the twenty second August by the German Democratic Republic's Minister President, Lothar de Maizière, at a special session of the Volkskammer which began at 9 pm. After a heated debate, the President of the Volkskammer, Sabine Berg mann-Pohl, announced the results at 2.30 am on twenty third August.
Johann continued to read. "The Volkskammer decides on the accession of the German Democratic Republic to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany according to Article 23 of the Basic Laws effective on third October.”
“So the German Democratic Republic falls on that day,” Shirley said.
“Yes.”
“It’s funny, isn’t it, how countries who are not democratic call themselves that. Who do they think they’re kidding?”
“Only themselves obviously,” Daniel said.
“What form will the celebrations take? Will any dignitaries be appearing publicly?”
“They are bound to come out to at least wave to the people,” Daniel said. “And there’ll probably be some speeches.”
“Then buildings around have to be searched before that happens. Will Intelligence be doing that or just the police?”
“Security is always good,” Johann said.
“It has to be better than good. Do you have a map of the surrounding area with its buildings?”
“A few. I’ll get them.”
“Will they be evacuated and will they be searched and have police standing guard?”
“I don’t know if there would be enough police to do that. The buildings are more to the back of the Reichstag because the front is open land with trees some distance from the building. I’ll just get the maps.”
Johann went through to the study. Shirley looked at Daniel rather bleakly.
“Do you think the babies will sleep through the night?”
“It’s a strong possibility but if they wake they know Helen so they won’t be frightened.”
“They’ll be confused because they won’t have us. They’ve been used to us all the time.”
“Babies are tougher than we think,” Daniel said.
“And since when were you an expert on babies?”
“I’m an expert on many things. Why can’t baby care be one of them?”
Shirley screwed her nose at Daniel and Johann walked in with the maps. “It would be better on the dining room table,” he said. “Then we can spread them out.”
They walked through and the next two hours were spent studying the maps, details of the buildings and the area around the building.
Helen in the plane looked at the sleeping babies and hoped they would stay that way. She would love to cuddle them, she knew, but she did not want them to know they were away from their parents until it was absolutely necessary. At that point she was sure they would miss Shirley and Daniel even though they knew their grandparents well.
Going through customs with them had been rather harrowing as Helen thought of all the questions she could be asked. Her passport and that of the babies were convincing, and something Johann had obtained a few days previously. Shirley and Daniel would come to Berlin, he had told Helen. He was sure of that. They probably wouldn’t want the babies to be with them so they must be prepared to take them to either Connie and Paul or Shirley’s parents. Helen insisted on having a new passport.
She was glad of his forward thinking which meant she was able to take the children immediately. She looked down at them where they lay snugly together and thought of her own pregnancy. She and Ludwig had delayed having children and after he died she was pleased about that. Her work in the underground was difficult enough without adding the responsibilities of a family.
She thought of Ludwig as she looked at the babies. She had loved him with all her heart and been devastated when he died. Something like that from an apparently healthy young men neither of them had expected and the illness which hit him so suddenly was traumatic for both him and her. But he rose above it and it did not last long. For her the grieving was acute for some time.
But life had to go on though the gap his going left in her life remained. That was until she met Johann and fell in love with him, something she never for a moment envisaged. Now she was happy with him in a way she never thought she could be happy with another man. She was fortunate, she thought, and particularly in view of her precarious position in East Berlin before Shirley took in the submarine to rescue her.
And Shirley was more than brave with a bravery that ignored adverse results to herself. When she realised as they approached West Germany on the Elbe that Nagel was the fifth member of the Chain Quintet she sent down the division between the Nagels and Helen, showed Helen how to drive the submarine and swam out to cut the wire ahead of them, a wire which should have been cut by those on the West German side ready for them. The men from West Germany who had cut the wire had swum back to the surface, knowing the submarine would go through five minutes later. In that five minutes the East Germans put up a new wire which caused the submarine to stall as it got caught in it.
But Shirley cut the wires again and was subsequently arrested and treated very badly. She and Daniel had to escape and Shirley became ill afterwards from a pneumothorax caused by being kicked. She then had to escape in a pre 1914 plane which belonged to Emile. Helen’s face screwed as she thought of it. It should have been her who cut the wire and was arrested but Shirley gave her no chance to do anything other than take the submarine into West Germany.
And Nagel was responsible for all that because nobody realised he was more than a writer. Yet he had got away with murder and literal murder because of the people who had been killed as a result of what he did. They all had got away with it and should be serving life imprisonments. How she hoped that would come, Helen thought. It was not a matter of wanting revenge. It was a matter of having to pay for what had happened and a matter of keeping such men from harming any other people.
She leaned back in her chair and was glad the journey would take only a short while. She wanted to get the babies to the Mannings and she wanted to go home even though home was probably not that secure at the moment. These days should be happy ones because of what had happened over the past year. They had cause to celebrate the reunification of the two sides of Germany and it would have been nice to anticipate it without having to worry about what could occur.
But life never was that simple and people in other countries were not in as fortunate a position as this country. The two sides divided for twenty eight years with no hope of reuniting. It had been a miracle, she thought, and something she h
ad never anticipated. China, Russia, Czechoslavakia, Poland. People from all four countries had asked for the help of the Underground in East Germany in certain situations and they had been able to assist quite a few though more from the West German end of the organisation, of which Susan and Stefan were a part. If only the world could be a safe, friendly place but it never would be that while humans ran it.
“Will you fasten your seatbelts, please?” The announcement came over the tannoy in Dutch, German and English. “We are about to descend to Luchthaven Schiphol.”
Helen reached for the belt, lifted the carrycot and put it beside her on the chairs. She put seatbelts round it and held it tightly. The contents of it were very precious and not just for Shirley and Daniel. Helen had come to love all of them deeply. A lady who sat next to her who had spoken on and off during the journey smiled at her.
“They’re beautiful babies,” she said.
“They are.”
“What are their names?”
“Lemuel and Karl.” The lady did not say anymore as she was distracted by her own daughter who sat next to her and Helen was relieved. In other circumstances she would have been pleased to chat but not today. The plane taxied down the runway and came to a halt near the arrivals hall.
She would have loved to stay and explore the city for a couple of days, she thought, but that would have to wait. Maybe one day soon with Johann which would be even better. The Mannings were waiting for her when they emerged from customs and had a base for the carrycot. In Ruth’s arms was little Lisette who was wide awake and looking round with interest.
“I’ve left them in the carrycot all the time in order not to disturb them,” Helen said. “I was dying to cuddle them but I don’t want them upset.” She held out the passports. “I brought them in on those two but their real passports are stamped so there will be no trouble. Use the real ones when the necessity arises. There is a letter from Daniel giving you permission to have them in case any questions are asked.”
“There’s something wrong, isn’t there?” Ruth said.
“No. Everything is fine. Shirley and Daniel just felt that Berlin is not a peaceful place for the babies, the same as Susan and Stefan feel. The celebrations on third October will be riotous and no place for Michael and Samuel.”
Helen leaned forward to kiss Lisette. “Hello, darling. How are you?” The baby bounced on Ruth’s arm. “Your mother is really missing you.” She handed an envelope to Ruth. “Instructions from Shirley. I think it will probably take you a week to read them. She sends all her love. So too does Daniel.”
“Tell Susan and Shirley we’ll look after the babies well and thank you. Are you coming to the hotel with us?”
“No. I’m returning to Berlin on the next plane.”
“Thank you. You’re a good friend.”
Not such a good one, Helen thought as she made for the departures hall, because good friends did not cause you problems in the way she had Shirley. She boarded a plane an hour later and a couple of hours after that let herself into her house.
Johann walked out of the lounge, put his arms round her and held her as if he would never let her go. She clutched onto him as the strain of the past few hours hit her and tears rose to her eyes. He pulled back, kissed her eyes and put his arms round her to lead her into the kitchen. Lifting a tray he walked up the stairs with her with one arm round her and one holding the tray. Setting it down on the locker he held her once again.
“I’m alright,” she said.
“No, you’re not. Eat my food and drink your drink. I’ve made new ones four times so I’d be ready for you.”
“You’re a nice man,” she said, taking off her wig. She shook out her hair, attractive with her dark hair and brown eyes, and even more so to Johann. But he must not try sex with her tonight, he thought, because she was obviously upset. She made for the bathroom. “I just got a bit emotional because of what’s happening to Shirley and Daniel. Daniel has been involved for some time but it’s not fair on Shirley.”
“No. How were the babies?”
“They didn’t wake once. Lisette was wide awake and seemed happy. Ruth wouldn’t tell us if she wasn’t, I know. Let’s eat in bed. I’m starving, I must admit, because I couldn’t eat on the plane though I did have drinks. Really what I wanted to do was get dead drunk. Shall we do that now?”
“Good thinking.” Johann grinned as he reached for the buttons on Helen’s blouse. “Maybe not in view of junior.”
“I’d rather make love to you.”
“Are you sure it won’t hurt the baby?”
“You ask me that every time. Do you want a rest from me?”
“Rest from you? You have to be kidding. I can’t get enough of you. But I don’t want to hurt you or the baby and I don’t want you to feel you must because I know you’re a bit upset over everything.”
“Just get on with it, Schloegel.” They both grinned, downed their hot drinks and turned to hold each other tightly.
Chapter 3
28th September, 1990
“Where is Shirley?” Johann asked Helen as he walked into the study where Helen sat typing at her computer.
“Upstairs reading,” Helen replied. “She’s been working on her computer a lot this morning and has printed quite a few articles. She says she’ll show them to us later. Daniel has gone to see Fiedler.”
“We can’t trust anyone,” Johann said, putting his arms round Helen and bending to kiss her.
“No. I think everyone is aware of that.”
“I’m sorry.” He went for the phone as it rang. “Hello.”
Helen watched him for a few moments before going through to the kitchen to begin preparing a meal. He was a good looking man, very tall, muscular with lean hips and an easy grace. Love and good looks, she thought. Not a bad combination. She began to peel potatoes and five minutes later Johann joined her. He took the potato peeler from her and started to wash the potatoes.
“I like the skins,” he said.
“You never said that before. So do I. I even used to keep them on when I’m roasting the potatoes.”
“Then keep doing that. It was Mrs. Nagel on the phone.”
Helen frowned. “What does she want? She’s never phoned us before.”
“She asked if we could meet. I said I’ll be free about three.”
“Did she give no indication of what it’s about?”
“No.”
“Where are you meeting?”
“At MacDonalds. What’s for lunch?”
“Omelette and chips. We’ll have a proper meal tonight. Do you mind the skins on chips?”
“I love the skin on chips. You as a doctor should know they’re healthy and what you’re cooking is a proper meal.” Johann walked over to put his arms round Helen from behind where she stood beating the eggs in a bowl. “Hello, darling. I’ll do that. I’m not a bad cook but I always seem to be out when you start preparing meals.”
“Hello, liebling. Shall I put in mushrooms or cheese?”
“Both.” He grinned down at her before making for the fridge to fetch the items. “How is junior?”
“Too small to let me know.”
“Did you feel sick this morning?”
“No. I think that phase is passing. Could you cut up the mushrooms and grate the cheese?”
“Yes, sure.” Johann went to the sink. “Shirley will be missing the babies. Daniel says he does already. I wish they weren’t involved.”
“I wish none of us were involved but yes, particularly them. I have a clinic to do this afternoon so I’ll be out for a few hours.”
“Yes.” Johann made for the door as the bell rang and it was Daniel. Johann handed him two keys.
“I got those cut this morning so you don’t have to knock.” He walked ahead into the kitchen and began to grate the cheese. Daniel followed him, greeted Helen and went to the lounge. He walked back into the kitchen to look at Johann.
“Upstairs on the computer and reading,” Johann
said.
“Thanks.” Daniel ran up the stairs to where Shirley sat stretched on the bed, books and papers around her, none of which she seemed to be reading as she sat back against the pillows with her eyes shut. He sat beside her and put his arm round her.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing at this precise moment. I miss them so much. It’s like a physical ache.”
He held her tighter. “Yes.”
“We have to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
“Any ideas how to do that?”
“I’ll tell you over lunch. Let’s go down and torment Helen and Johann. I can smell food and I’m starving. How is Fiedler?”
“Okay. I didn’t tell him anything but he had heard that Schmidt was in prison and knew why,”
Shirley frowned. “How did he know that? I didn’t think he had any contact with Schmidt and with whoever Schmidt hangs out.”
“How does anyone know anything? They all seem to have access to some kind of network which dishes out information.”
“Do you think Fiedler is to be trusted?”
“I don’t even trust my own shadow,” Daniel said, putting his arm round Shirley again as they made for the stairs. “Make love to me?”
“Daniel!” He grinned, slid down the bannister and she slid after him. A large house by English standards, it was old and one both of them found fascinating. He caught her and she put her legs round his waist. Helen walked to the kitchen door.
“Lunch is ready,” she said.
“Yummy.” Shirley slid down Daniel and went into the kitchen. “Can I carry anything through?”
“If you go to the dining room I’ll pass things through the hatch.”
“I love this house,” Shirley said.
“So do we. I think we’ll have ten children so we can fill it.”
“Good thinking.” Shirley went into the dining room, the food came through the hatch and all of them began to eat.
“Tell us,” Daniel said to Shirley.
“Tell you what?”
The Berlin Vendetta: Book 3 in the series 'The Enigmatic Defection' Page 6
