The Cavendon Luck. Barbara Bradford Taylor
was placid, like a sheet of silvered glass.
There was a low bench on the edge of the lake and Cecily and Miles sat down on it, the two of them enjoying the magnificence of their surroundings.
‘Look at the mountains up there, tipped with snow, and the great arc of the sky glittering with stars … how beautiful it is here, Ceci.’
‘I know. There’s a peacefulness, a serenity.’ She shook her head. ‘And not too far away there’s madness, chaos and rumours of an impending war. The earth we live on is staggeringly beautiful, and yet there are those who want to go out and destroy it. Evil men like Hitler, hungry for power and dominance.’
Cecily shivered. Instantly Miles put his arm around her. ‘I know exactly what you mean. The tranquillity here is unique and it has kept Hugo sane all through those difficult years. At least that’s what I think.’ There was a pause. Miles looked down at her, tilted her face to his, ‘Don’t you want to go to Berlin, Ceci?’
‘Yes and no,’ she answered truthfully. ‘I want to see what’s going on, and yet I don’t want to see anything at all. I suppose because I think I’ll be frightened by the ghastliness of the place.’
‘Nothing will happen to us, darling. We’re totally protected as a well-known English family,’ Miles reassured her, pulling her closer.
‘Yes, I know,’ she muttered.
‘Was Diedre able to do anything to help Greta’s father?’ he suddenly asked.
‘I don’t believe so,’ Cecily responded quietly, alarm flaring inside. She must now be very careful what she said. She could not betray Diedre.
‘I thought she had a contact?’ Miles murmured.
‘From what I understand, it’s an … old friend,’ Cecily improvised. ‘She told me the person couldn’t do anything about helping to get travel papers. Seemingly they’ve become scarce. None available.’
Miles nodded. ‘The professor, like so many other Jews, believed they were German and therefore nothing would happen to them. How mistaken they’ve been. Tragically, in fact.’
Cecily remained silent.
Miles said in a reflective tone, ‘Did Diedre say anything to you about visiting Greta’s family?’
‘Not exactly, Miles. She just made a comment about intellectuals being watched. She said she had read about this development in one of the British papers,’ Cecily lied.
‘I did too. The Gestapo are a menace … they swoop down on so many people who are perfectly innocent.’ There was a small silence. Finally Miles added, ‘Perhaps it would be wiser if we didn’t draw attention to the professor by going to see him.’
‘I agree. We might be doing him a favour if we stayed away.’ She hesitated, being cautious. ‘Are you suggesting that the famous Inghams might be under surveillance?’
‘There’s a strong possibility that we will be, my darling. So what? We’re just visitors passing through, so to speak.
‘Diedre’s position at the War Office has always been a mystery to me, Ceci. She’s never told anybody one single thing, except that she does clerical work. What’s your opinion? Is that the truth? Or do you think my sister is in Intelligence?’
‘I’m certain she does clerical work, is in administration. Let’s face it, Miles, if Diedre was in Intelligence, she might have had the ways and means to help Greta’s father.’
‘Perhaps. Perhaps not. But I tend to agree with you. Anyway, Diedre’s not the type to play cloak and dagger, that sort of thing. She’s far too staid.’
‘I agree,’ Cecily replied assertively, relieved she had managed to throw Miles off the scent.
On their first morning in Berlin, Daphne, Diedre and Cecily met for breakfast in the dining room of the Adlon Hotel where they were staying. Hugo and Miles had taken Charlie on a sightseeing tour much earlier and would not be back until late afternoon.
‘I’m so glad we didn’t have to go,’ Daphne murmured, looking from her sister to Cecily. ‘First of all, I didn’t want to get up at the crack of dawn, and secondly, I don’t really have the desire to see too much of this town, especially since there are so many uniforms underfoot.’
Diedre laughed. ‘Underfoot indeed!’ she exclaimed. ‘They’re everywhere.’
‘Have you been out already?’ Cecily asked, eyeing Diedre, unable to conceal her curiosity.
‘No, I haven’t,’ Diedre replied. ‘But I noticed when we went for a stroll after dinner last night how many Stormtroopers there were, crowding in amongst us poor pedestrians. They all looked like bullies to me.’
‘What I noticed last night were how many smart women were dining here. In fact, some of them were extremely chic, very well groomed,’ Cecily said. Turning to Daphne, she went on, ‘I’d like to browse around a few of the best shops later. Are you up for it?’
‘I’d like that, Ceci, but I’d also love to go to the Tiergarten – either this morning, or this afternoon, if you prefer. Hugo told me that it’s a really beautiful spot, rather like an English park. It used to be the private hunting grounds of the Brandenburg princes several hundreds of years ago.’
‘Let’s do that,’ Cecily agreed.
‘You’re very welcome to come with us, Diedre,’ Daphne said. ‘Unless you’ve made other plans.’
‘I have actually. I must make a courtesy call to the British Embassy, for one thing.’
‘So join us for lunch,’ Daphne suggested.
‘I can’t. Thanks for wanting to include me, though. I have an old friend who works there and we’ve made a lunch date. Also, I must see one of the attachés at the embassy, about the reception tomorrow evening. I understand we’re on the list.’
‘I’m glad we’re being invited,’ Cecily said. ‘I enjoy ogling all the women and their clothes.’
‘Apparently it is black tie,’ Diedre said. ‘So I’m relieved I told you to have the men pack their evening clothes.’
‘And what shall we wear, Diedre?’ Daphne asked, raising a brow. ‘I suppose we have to get all fancied up?’
‘I’ll say. We’re the famous Inghams after all,’ Diedre replied with a chuckle. ‘As far as you’re concerned, you can wear an old sack and still look beautiful. No doubt you’ll be the belle of the ball tomorrow.’
‘I’m not so sure about that, but thank you for the compliment. I brought several summer evening frocks.’
Standing up, Diedre said, ‘I must go. I hope to be back by four. Shall we try and have tea together?’
‘That’s a grand idea,’ Cecily answered. ‘Have a nice day.’
‘I aim to.’ Diedre smiled and took her leave, hurrying out of the restaurant.
After buttering a piece of toast, Daphne looked at Cecily and said, ‘I’ve been wondering if Charlotte has said anything to you about Papa? About his health, I mean.’
This question surprised Cecily, and she frowned. ‘No, she hasn’t. But why do you ask? Do you think your father might be ill?’
‘Not really. He was very good when we left, but that is several weeks ago now. It was just something Alicia said on Sunday … She really did want to come with us to Berlin, I suppose because Charlie has made it sound so exciting. And those two have always been joined at the hip. I agreed she should come along, but she suddenly said