Beyond the Storm

Jakob laughs out loud for a moment, his laughter fading as he takes in his friend’s humourless face.

‘I don’t believe it! Fritz, is this some kind of joke? Really I don’t find it very funny, not funny at all.’

‘It’s no joke. I believe the Nazis are right: with the Jews’ monopoly on large areas of trade and business, they are a major cause of the social and economic difficulties both Germany and Austria are suffering. We must eliminate the Jews in Austria and restore racial purity to our country. That is absolutely essential.’

Jakob feels sweat trickling down his spine. He shivers. ‘Racial purity! How can you talk like this? You know I am a Jew … and Anna’s family is also Jewish.’

‘Of course I know it. That is why I wanted to speak to you.’

‘You agree to the “elimination” of Jews, yet you call yourself my friend?’

‘I said we had been friends for many years. I said I like you.’

‘But our friendship is now at an end?’

‘We cannot continue to be friends as before, that is certain, but I do care what happens to you. It is because of our friendship that I want to help you – you and Anna. I would not want harm to come to either of you.’

‘This is absurd! You want all Jews driven out or … what? Beaten up? Killed? Yet you feel some sympathy for me, some loyalty to me – a Jew!’

‘That is exactly right. We must all make a distinction between what is personal and what is principle. Listen, Jakob, we could go on debating this round and round all evening, but I don’t have much time. The fact is I have come to warn you.’

‘Oh? Are you about to bring a brown-shirted mob round to beat us up?’

Fritz does not smile. He glances at his watch. ‘Believe me, this really is no joke. You must leave Vienna, leave Austria. You and Anna must get out as soon as you can.’ Fritz leans forward and lowers his voice. ‘I have seen your name on a list, Jakob. Did you really think no one watches those communist gatherings? What a stupid thing to do. Now your name is on the list, and sooner or later they will come for you – and that little fool of a sister of Anna’s.’

‘Margaret … but she’s hardly more than a child.’

‘That makes no difference. The important thing is don’t delay. I may be able to help with papers, and I have some contacts, here and abroad. Make sure you go soon – and if you care for your families, try to get them out too.’

Jakob sits for a long time after Fritz has left, trying to calm the leaping of his heart and the trembling of his hands. He will have to persuade Anna to leave her home, her family to whom she is so deeply attached, and accompany him to a new land. Will she do it? They have talked of leaving, but never as an immediate intention. It was discussed as a vague possibility, almost as a fairy tale. How would Anna react? Would she even believe his account of his conversation with Fritz? He hardly believes it himself. Jakob resolves not to speak to Anna of what Fritz has told him, not yet at least. Instead he must find other means of persuading her of the necessity of leaving.

An unexpected opportunity to achieve this presents itself before very long, an opportunity Jakob does not welcome at all.

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