A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

Harry, Max, and Reba arrived simultaneously, and when Jacob walked in a few minutes later, the party began. Unlike the previous year, the banter around the table was lighter, and there was definitely more laughter. Everyone agreed that dinner was delicious.

  When Harry stood and clinked his fork against his glass to get everyone’s attention, it was assumed he would make his announcement of Jacob’s gift pretty much as he had done the previous year when they had given him driving lessons.

  This was not so.

  “Ada and I have something to tell you; we made a decision several days ago, but decided to wait until tonight to tell everyone. We are buying the house we all fell in love with in Orpington Gardens last year. It was purchased by another family, but recently came back on the market. When the agent contacted me, we went to see it, and we agreed to make it our own. It is partially furnished, and since it is being sold with the furniture, we will be in good shape. We are waiting for the papers to be drawn up for our signatures, and we will soon learn when we can move in. So tonight we celebrate Jacob’s Birthday and our new home.

  “I know you children may have a lot of questions; school, our synagogue, all will be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction. First and foremost, we hope it will get us out of the city limits of London and further away from the air raids.”

  At first everyone was quiet and just sat there. Then realizing what their father had just said, Jacob, Rose, and Rachel began jumping for joy. A new home, their own rooms, an upstairs, a downstairs, a garden front and back—this was truly the best day ever.

  Max and Reba congratulated them, truly happy that they were moving out of the City. Max pulled Harry aside, “You can fill me in on all the details in the days to come. Tonight, we just celebrate.”

  Harry poured the wine, while Ada served the cake and tea. There were many toasts—to Jacob, to moving to the new house, to good health, to staying safe, and to the end of the War. It seemed like old times—before the air raids—before the bombs falling too close for comfort—just a normal family dinner celebration.

  Ada slipped out of the room and returned with a leather jacket for Jacob. Harry had pulled more than a few strings to get it.

  “Happy Birthday Jacob; come and try it on.”

  All too soon January became February and February became March. The Nazis continued their assault on London as the air raids increased and then lessened, but not before dropping their payloads on schools, churches, and residential areas.

  In mid-March, Harry and Ada were notified by the bank manager that at long last, the papers for the sale of the house were ready for their signatures. Harry wore a blue suit and his favorite tie; Ada wore her favorite dress that was usually reserved for the Sabbath. This was a very special day in their lives, and Ada wanted it to be just right.

  Now that the day had arrived, Ada was a bit nervous, but elated nonetheless; she once again had her eye on tomorrow and hoped the War would soon end. Their very own home was a dream come true. Though it was part of the plan all along, she couldn’t deny the sense of accomplishment and pride that engulfed her as they prepared to leave for their appointment at the bank.

  Harry was excited, as well. Having put his bad feelings about the house aside, he felt perhaps 11 Brook Avenue was destined to be theirs all along.

  Before leaving their flat, Harry pulled Ada into his arms and kissed her. “I love you Ada Lyons with all my heart. All I have ever wanted and imagined was to spend all of my days with you, and provide you and our children with some of the finer things in life along the way. I see our new home as only the beginning of many good things to come.”

  “I love you too Harry, and I too truly believe that it is only the beginning for the Lyons family.”

  When they arrived at the bank, they were surprised to see Max and Reba waiting for them. “I hope you don’t mind our being here. Reba and I wanted to share this important occasion in your lives.”

  Harry felt terrible. Although he was surprised that they hadn’t mentioned their wish to come with them, Max and Reba were the only family they had, and Harry and Ada’s remiss in including them could only be attributed to the fact that they were so caught up in their own excitement, they simply had given it no thought.

  “Of course, we don’t mind at all; we should have asked you to be a part of this day and join us. Please accept our apology.”

  “No need for any apologies, Harry. We just want you to know Reba and I are here for both of you.”

  They were shown to a small room at the end of the hall. Mr. Westin, the bank manager, introduced himself and asked that everyone be seated. Harry and Ada having never previously purchased property had no idea of the process or paperwork involved.

  Mr. Westin placed the first document to be signed in front of them. There was a bank draft in the amount of 500 pounds made out to the Abbey Road Building Society attached. He instructed them to sign and date above their names where indicated. He further explained that it was the Bill of Sale paying off the mortgage held by the previous owners.

  Next he produced the Deed to 11 Brook Avenue, Edgware, Middlesex, indicating Harry and Ada Lyons as the new owners. Sliding the Deed into an envelope, he handed it to Harry; he then stood and extended his hand indicating that the transaction was complete.

  Harry was a bit confused. “Where are the papers outlining the mortgage agreement, and the process for repayment?”

  Mr. Westin sat back down. “There is no mortgage. Mr. and Mrs. Lerner have paid off the mortgage on your behalf. The house is yours free and clear of any encumbrance. Congratulations! I wish you well; enjoy your new home. Now, if you will please excuse me, I must be off to my next appointment.”

  Once again, the Lerners were truly their guardian angels. Harry and Ada had no idea what they had done to deserve them, but they were genuinely grateful regardless, knowing they could never repay them.

  Max and Reba did not want or expect repayment. As they had said many times before, they were both up in years, and for whatever time they had left, they were secure in the knowledge that they had more than enough for their needs. They had recently revised their Wills and left everything to Harry, Ada, and the children anyway.

  They left the bank, walking arm in arm; Harry and Ada were walking on air. When they reached the Corner Pub, Max and Reba ushered them inside before they knew what was happening. For the next hour, they laughed and cried and toasted to the future again and again and again.

  To Harry and Ada Lyons, owning their own home was the dream of a lifetime; an investment in their future, an act both permanent and profound.

  HOME—where Love resides, Memories are created,

  Friends are always welcome, and Laughter never ends.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  For the remainder of March, Harry and Ada, with the children pitching in, packed their things and steadily moved them to the new house. They felt that in doing so, when the day came for the final move, the majority of their belongings would be in place and ready to receive them. It was also an opportunity to give to others; there was clothing that the children had outgrown, and items that they no longer needed. Rationing had hit everyone pretty hard, and children’s clothing and shoes were in constant demand.

  Since Passover was approaching in early April; they would remain in their flat through the week of observance at which time they would pack up the Passover dishes, and the remainder of their belongings, and be in their new home before the end of the month. This proved to be a great family experience. The children excited about the move were more than eager to help, and in the long run made the move easier than having to unpack everything at once.

  Spring had arrived, and Ada looked forward to planting a few flowers, and possibly even putting in a vegetable garden. The many bombings had left their toll. In and around London, there was devastation wherever one looked, and each time Ada passed a bombed-out building, it tugged at her hea
rt.

  It was also the twins 9th Birthday; Max and Reba would be joining them for the Seder and their final celebration in the place they had called home for twenty years. During the day, as she prepared for dinner, she recalled coming to London as a bride and falling in love with the East End. After all these years, she still felt the same way; but times change. It was time for them to move on. Empowered with fulfilling their dream of home ownership came the ability to put some distance between them and the German air raids.

  Jacob had been working on a surprise for Rose and Rachael for weeks. He spent as much time as he could in the back of Max’s shop crafting matching rings for his sisters. The rings were identical—each with a diamond centered in a gold heart; he had cut and polished the diamonds himself. His secret was his alone; he hadn’t told his parents nor confided in Max. He also had a surprise for his parents. He had taken a key to their new house and attached a gold plate engraved with the date April 1941—the date they would move permanently to Orpington Gardens.

  There had been no air raids for over a week, and Ada had taken advantage of the time by planning as elaborate a Seder as she could by adjusting her recipes and stretching her ration coupons that included several Reba had given her. The table was set; Harry was home; Rose and Rachael were looking forward to celebrating their 9th Birthday; and Max and Reba had just arrived. Ada excused herself and went to check on dinner. As soon as Jacob came home, the Seder would begin.

  With the key and the two small boxes containing the rings in his pocket, Jacob left Max’s shop and locked the door behind him. He was running a little late; he just couldn’t resist one last swipe of the polishing cloth on the rings before heading home. Picking up the pace, he smiled, quite pleased with himself as he walked. He felt certain the twins would love the rings; certain that his mother would equally love the key to their new home; and he hoped his father would be proud of his skill and ingenuity.

  On Friday, 11 April 1941, 153 Luftwaffe Aircraft bombed Bristol, England.

  The City’s docks, St. Philip’s Bridge, and widespread residential areas were damaged. In addition, the bombs that hit St. Philip’s Bridge destroyed the tramway power supply line. The damage was too severe to repair, and all the tramcars were soon scrapped for the war effort; none of which were preserved for historical purposes.

  As the planes began their retreat, one lone stray bomber, short of fuel, veered off course and accidently released its load over the East End, resulting in a direct hit on Hughes Mansions—more precisely on the very building where the Lyons family lived—until month’s end.

  There was no warning. As Jews in the East End were sitting down to their Seders, the bombs fell. Not only was it the first night of Passover, it was Good Friday with Easter Sunday approaching. Ultimately, it would become known as The Good Friday Raid.

  There were 159 fatalities in the East End; all in the building that took the direct hit—many were guests for the evening. There was collateral damage to nearby buildings, and hundreds suffered injuries, but none were life threatening.

  Jacob was two blocks from home. The blast knocked him to the ground, but he was unhurt. He stood and began running towards Vallence Road. The sirens were deafening; everyone was running in the opposite direction.

  When he arrived at his building, his heart stopped. It was gone. In its place was a massive pile of smoldering rubble. The screaming was horrifying; he looked around and saw no one he knew. It was then that he realized that the screams he heard were his own

  Rescue equipment was everywhere. The wail of the sirens was deafening as vehicle after vehicle arrived. Medics were treating people in the street as ambulances pulled away with the badly injured inside. Jacob stood back in the shadows across the street from where the building had once stood. He was in shock. He watched and waited and waited and watched. He searched for a familiar face, but there was none. That meant only one thing—everyone was already in the building when the bombs hit. He pictured them seated at the table, waiting for him; but he wasn’t there because he had gone by Max’s shop to pick up the rings for the twins’ birthday.

  It was well after midnight, and rescue workers were still attending to the injured that remained. The crowds were thinning, but emergency lights glared in the dark night and sirens continued to wail as ambulances, time and again, left only to return to the scene. The pile of rubble that had once been the building where he lived remained untouched as he kept staring at it willing someone to rise from the ashes.

  Jacob did not know what to do. He was alone; he lost everyone he loved in the building; he could think of no one that he could turn to. It was mid-April and the evening had turned cold. Realizing that he was shivering, and that he hadn’t eaten in hours, he walked away from the pile of rubble that buried all—his family, the Lerners, his seventeen years of life as he knew and lived it.

  He set out towards the only place that came to mind—Max Lerner’s shop. As he arrived at his destination, the sounds faded in the distance. Fumbling for the key in his pocket, he found it and unlocked the door. Without turning on the lights, he headed straight to the back of the shop.

  When Max and Reba launched their business, they invested all of their savings to purchase the store; it was big enough, however, for them to create a small living area in the back. For three years, it was there home. By the time Reba became pregnant, Max had established himself and the business afforded them enough income to rent a flat with two bedrooms—one would serve as the nursery.

  Their daughter, Erica, was born two months after moving into their new flat. She was a beautiful child who fulfilled their every dream, but unfortunately they lost her to an outbreak of Meningitis two months shy of her fifth birthday. They desperately longed for another child, but it wasn’t to be. Harry and Ada had no way of knowing that when they came into Max and Reba’s lives, they were filling a void that had engulfed them for over thirty years.

  Although they no longer lived back of the store, the only change made to the living area was to relocate the workbench and tools out of their customers’ sight, thus allowing a bigger showroom area. The new small refrigerator, the stove, and the loo came in quite handy through the years, and they were pleased that they had the foresight to preserve the space pretty much in tact.

  After making his way to the back area of the shop, Jacob collapsed on the small sofa, sobs wracking his entire body. At last, thoroughly exhausted, he fell into a deep and troubled sleep.

  Marcus Hirsch woke the next morning to the news of the bombing in the East End. He immediately dressed and set off to see if Harry and his family were safe, and if he could help in any way.

  His worst fears were realized when he stood in front of the rubble that had once been the building where they lived. There were still several emergency vehicles and medics on the scene, and he approached them seeking information.

  He was so visibly shaken at being told that there were no survivors in the building that had taken the direct hit, he almost collapsed. Two of the men guided him over to the First Aid area that had been set up, and there he stayed until he once again regained his composure and assured them that he was okay.

  Marcus was confident that he knew everything there was to know about Harry. For almost six years, they had worked side-by-side, and prior to that, he had been the person who vetted him and offered him the position at De Beers. On several occasions, Harry had even sought his advice.

  The one thing that remained certain in his mind was the fact that on the first night of Passover, ALL of the Lyons family had been seated around the Seder table in their apartment. He knew they had no relatives in London, but the two people that were close enough to be considered family were Max and Reba Lerner. He had no idea where they lived, but he knew the location of Max’s shop.

  Twenty minutes later, he stood in front of the darkened store. Realizing that it was Saturday, a day when businesses in the East End would normally
be closed for the Sabbath, he started to walk away. On second thought, he turned, putting his face up against the glass of the front door, and looked in; he soon realized it was too dark to see anything. As he stepped back to leave, he stumbled and grabbed hold of the doorknob; to his surprise, he found the door unlocked, and it opened.

  Carefully, he entered the shop and made his way to the back. There on the sofa lay Jacob fast asleep. Not wanting to startle the boy, he decided to wait for him to awaken. When Jacob finally began to stir, Marcus approached him and gently calling his name gathered him into his arms. Together they sobbed holding on to one another for dear life.

  Finally letting go, Jacob went to wash up and refresh himself. While he washed up, Marcus went into the kitchen area and finding only tea and an unopened box of matzo, put the kettle on. He reached into the cabinet for two cups and set them on the small table. When Jacob returned, he asked him, “How long has it been since you’ve eaten? There’s not much here, but I’m making tea and you should at least eat a little matzo.”

  “Thank you Mr. Hirsch. I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.”

  Marcus poured the tea and sat down at the table. Jacob hungrily ate three large pieces of matzo and drank the cup of tea. Not wanting to press him about the previous night, he rose and put the kettle back on to make more tea.

  When he returned to the table, Jacob began relating his story of the night before. He started with coming by the shop to pick up the rings he had made for his sisters and the key to their new home ending with waiting in the shadows until well past midnight when reality finally set in, making him realize that he had lost them all.

  “I was so excited about the surprise for Rachael and Rose, the key for my parents, and moving to our new home. The fact is, stopping by the shop is what made me late, and being late is what saved my life. But I don’t feel grateful for being alive; I feel guilty. Why would God want me all alone? I should have been with them; I have no one left. My father’s two brothers who live in South Africa are the only remaining blood relatives I have, and I only met them once at my Bar Mitzvah.”