The Cavendon Luck

‘Of course, so let’s go and forage.’ Slipping out of bed, Cecily put on her robe and slippers, and Miles followed suit.

A few minutes later they were standing in the sparkling kitchen, which had been thoroughly cleaned by Anna and Bruno after the lavish dinner. A bowl of fruit stood on the countertop; Miles took two bananas, grabbed Cecily’s hand and led her outside.

‘It’s such a gorgeous night, let’s go and sit by the water,’ Miles murmured, heading for the lake with her.

Although the sky was a dark midnight blue, there were no clouds; the thousands of stars appeared more visible than ever in the pure air. The mountains stood out ruggedly against the sky, their white tips glistening in the moonlight. The lake 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.

THIRTEEN

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 she couldn’t let her grandfather down. Then she added that he was longing for her to come back to Cavendon and at his age it was important for her to be there.’

‘I don’t think she was referring to anything to do with his health,’ Cecily reassured her. ‘Anyway, if the Earl isn’t well, Miles would certainly know, and he would have told me.’ Cecily paused, sipped her tea. ‘Your father has always adored Alicia; she is his first grandchild after all. He doted on her when she was little and they’ve been very close. I’m sure he has missed her. Alicia obviously understands this and just wants to keep her promise.’

Daphne nodded, a look of relief crossing her face. ‘I’m sure you’re right. I’m just being silly.’ A smile slid on to her face. ‘The old man and the young girl have a special bond. I know that for a fact.’

‘Alicia’s a lovely person, very considerate to everyone,’ Cecily pointed out. ‘My mother adores her, you know.’

‘The feeling is mutual, and I also adore Mrs Alice.’ A faint smile crossed Daphne’s face; she looked off into the distance, as if staring back into the past. She said, after a long moment, ‘Your mother saved my sanity; saved my life when I was seventeen … well, you know all that.’

‘I do indeed.’ Cecily said no more, thinking of that terrible summer when Daphne had been violently assaulted. Only the Swanns had known about it, and Daphne’s parents.

As if reading her mind, Daphne said, ‘I’ve been terribly afraid of violence ever since. I think that’s probably why I’m not particularly happy here in Berlin. I sense an undercurrent of danger, of trouble brewing, then erupting. That’s why I’m relieved we’re only staying a few days.’

‘There does seem to be a lot of tension and trouble in the streets. I know exactly what you’re referring to, Daphne. There’s fear in the air. But look, we’ll be back in Zurich on Sunday, and anyway, we are perfectly safe.’

‘Yes, I know, Hugo reassured me of that.’

As they finished breakfast, a silence fell between them. They were both preoccupied with their thoughts. Cecily was focused on her father-in-law, wondering if Alicia had spotted something she had recently noticed. The Earl did not seem as robust, and it had struck her several times lately that his health might be failing. She had not said anything to Miles, or anyone else, but he wasn’t the same any more. Now, unexpectedly, she could suddenly pinpoint it. The spirit had gone out of him, and this saddened her. She resolved to keep this insight into her father-in-law to herself. Nobody needed to know for the time being.

Diedre left the Adlon Hotel, stepped out on to Unter den Linden, and turned right on to Wilhelmstrasse where the British Embassy was located. She thought about Tony Jenkins, whom she was about to see. It was a relief to know that she could talk to him face to face in plain language rather than on the phone in code. Even so, she was quite certain he would call her Daffy Dilly, but she had made up her mind not to address him as Toby.

Here at the embassy he was Tony Jenkins, an attaché. He did not really work for the Foreign Office; he was with British Intelligence, working for her, although none of his colleagues knew this. Self-confident, in control, blessed with natural charm, he managed to play the role of an attaché with great élan, and success. Not for a moment was he like an agent.

Diedre came to a stop at number seventy and looked up at the Union Jack on a flagpole above the huge front door of the British Embassy. It was flaring out in the light breeze, a dazzle of red, white and blue, and she felt a little surge of patriotism. To her that flag represented not only her country, but democracy, justice and freedom.

Glancing up Wilhelmstrasse, she saw the swastika on the German flag flying above the Reich Chancellery a few doors away. Inside that building sat Hitler and his henchmen, a bunch of gangsters in charge of the German government, plotting their evil schemes and the domination of Central Europe. Hitler’s vandalizing of democracy was abhorrent to her, and what an irony it was that these two buildings stood on the same street.

Moving swiftly, Diedre went up the steps and into the embassy, her head held high in her pride at being an Englishwoman, and one determined to defend everything her country stood for.

Within minutes of giving her name to the young woman seated at the reception desk, she saw Tony Jenkins hurrying towards her. He had a bright smile on his face, and was obviously happy to see her standing there.

A moment later he was shaking her hand. ‘Lady Diedre, good morning, and welcome back.’

‘It’s nice to be here, Tony,’ she said, and allowed herself to be led away, down a short corridor to his office.

Once inside, he gave her a huge bear hug. She hugged him back, and then they stood apart and smiled at each other.

‘I can’t tell you what a relief it is to see you,’ he said.

‘I know what you mean. I feel the same.’

‘Let’s sit down over there on the sofa, and then I think we should go for a walk.’ As he spoke he gave her a knowing look.

Diedre nodded. ‘I think that’s a good idea. Why stay cooped up inside when it’s such a lovely day?’ She turned her head, her eyes searching the walls and ceiling, and then she stared at Tony, mouthed, ‘It’s not wired, is it?’

He shook his head. ‘It’s better we go out before we get interrupted. Somebody might pop in.’

‘I understand. What about Sir Nevile? I should pay my respects to the ambassador.’

‘He asked me to explain that he is unavailable at the moment. But he welcomes you, and is looking forward to seeing you and your family tomorrow evening.’

Tony stood, went over to his desk and picked up some envelopes. ‘These are your invitations to the reception and dinner, Diedre. I thought of sending them over to the Adlon by messenger, and then decided just to give them to you.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, and took them from him. There was one for her, another for Cecily and Miles, and a third for Daphne, Hugo and Charlie. ‘We’ll all be there with bells on,’ she said with a chuckle. Opening her handbag, she put the three envelopes inside and got up. ‘What are we waiting for? Let’s go.’

FOURTEEN

They got out of the taxi on the Tiergartenstrasse, and went straight into the Tiergarten, after Tony had paid off the driver. Diedre knew the park well, having strolled through it in the past; it was one of the few places in Berlin today where tranquillity still reigned.

It was truly beautiful, laid out in the manner of a traditional English park, with large expanses of green lawns, limes and horse chestnut trees, and many weeping willows growing everywhere. The abundance of magnificent trees aside, the flowering bushes and flower beds were in full bloom this month, and the air was fragrant with their mingled scents.

Tony and Diedre made their way to a secluded spot near one of the artificial ponds where there was a wrought-iron garden seat.

Once they were seated, she said, ‘You didn’t say much in the taxi, Tony, so do let’s talk now. It’s so tricky when we speak in code.’

‘But safe,’ he said, and smiled at her. ‘My office isn’t wired, I have it checked all the time. Very simply, I didn’t want to stay at the embassy because I knew we would be interrupted. People popping in and out. That’s the reason for our visit to the Tiergarten.’

‘It’s nice,’ Diedre answered. ‘My sister Daphne wants to come here later. But actually she hasn’t taken to Berlin. I sense that she’s picked up on the free-floating apprehension that’s in the air.’

‘Most people do, Daffy Dilly.’

She laughed. ‘I knew you’d have to call me that once today. But that’s it, not again. Understood?’

‘Understood.’ He laughed with her, then said, ‘I think I might have someone who could handle a suitcase for you.’

Diedre sat up straighter on the garden seat and looked at him alertly. ‘I thought all of your contacts had gone missing.’

‘They have. This one fell into my lap, so to speak, and quite unexpectedly.’

‘Who is he?’

‘It’s a she.’

‘Tell me about her.’

‘She’s titled, well known in Berlin, socially acceptable everywhere, young, quick and clever. And quite by accident I learned that she’s associated with one of the secret underground movements, you know those anti-Nazi groups who help to get people out.’

‘Have you mentioned anything to her yet?’

‘Not exactly. You’ll meet her tomorrow. I put her on the invitation list for the reception, and she’s accepted. You’ll also meet some of her friends, of the same ilk, I suspect – oh, and a lovely Englishwoman who’s married to a German prince. Come to think of it, you might know of her. I believe she comes from a family in Yorkshire.’

Diedre frowned, her mind racing. And then it came to her in an instant. ‘Is her name Arabella von Wittingen?’

‘Yes, she’s married to Prince Rudolf Kurt von Wittingen.’

‘Her maiden name is Lady Arabella Cunningham. Her brother is the Earl of Langley, and he still lives at Langley Castle in North Yorkshire. Daphne knew her slightly when they were young girls. How interesting. Daphne will enjoy talking to her, I’m sure.’

‘Now that we’re in a safe place, tell me about the people you wish to get out,’ Tony said. ‘I don’t know anything, as you’re well aware. It’s been so difficult on the phone.’

‘I will tell you. But there’s just one thing … I did wonder if your phone at the flat is safe? Sure nobody’s listening in?’

‘It’s safe. I have ways and means of checking. I’ve someone clever with that kind of thing. So, how many exit visas are we talking about? That was never very clear.’

‘Four.’

‘It’s too many, Diedre. There’s been such a clampdown lately and people are getting scared!’ Tony exclaimed, his smile fading. ‘They think they’ll get arrested.’

‘I understand. My sister-in-law, Cecily Swann, has a personal assistant by the name of Greta Chalmers, and it’s her family who are trapped here. Cecily’s trying to help Greta.’

‘What’s their name?’ Tony asked, sounding anxious.

‘Steinbrenner. Greta’s father is a professor of philosophy and—’

‘Professor Helmut Steinbrenner, the famous expert on Plato?’ Tony interrupted. ‘My God, this is such a strange coincidence. That’s the third time his name has come up in the last few days. It is him, isn’t it?’

‘I believe so. He is definitely an authority on Plato. Why has his name come up, Tony? That’s a bit bothersome, isn’t it?’

‘No, it’s not. We have another important visitor here from London, Diedre, Sir Anthony Parry, the author, journalist and broadcaster. He’s also a professor at Cambridge. Big, big name in academia.’

‘I know that, I read some of his columns in the Daily Telegraph,’ Diedre said. ‘Has he mentioned Professor Steinbrenner?’

‘Yes, he has. At the beginning of the week he asked me if it was at all possible to invite Professor Steinbrenner to the reception tomorrow. As a personal favour to him. They are old friends. And so I did. I included Mrs Steinbrenner, and then one of the newspapermen I know from the press corps here was asking about him—’

‘Has Professor Steinbrenner accepted?’ Diedre cut in.

‘I’ll have to check that out. I didn’t pay much attention, mainly because I was just doing a favour for Sir Anthony.’

‘Do you have any idea why a newspaperman would ask you about Professor Steinbrenner?’ Diedre asked, her face thoughtful.

‘No. But he’s a friendly chap, owes me a few favours, so I can easily find out. But let us get back to that very important point. The exit visas. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you the supply has dried up. You could go to Valiant—’

‘I will not go to him! Don’t mention him!’ Diedre exclaimed, cutting across Tony, her voice sharp, angry.

‘All right, all right. I won’t bring him up again. He’s verboten.’

Diedre took a deep breath, shook her head. ‘Sorry, Tony. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. To continue, I’m afraid we have another problem.’

‘What is it?’ He looked at her swiftly, his light grey eyes suddenly turning anxious.

‘Their passports have “J” for Jew stamped on them,’ Diedre said.

‘Oh God, no! I can’t get new passports. Not any more.’ Tony slumped back against the garden seat, looking and feeling defeated.

Diedre took another deep breath and said, ‘What’s the worst scenario? Obviously not getting any exit visas. Could you get one?’

‘Probably, if my new contact works out, and helps me.’

‘Professor Steinbrenner has two children. I’m certain he will want to get one of them out first.’

Tony closed his eyes, and let out a deep sigh. Then he sat up and said, ‘A child. How are we going to handle that, Diedre? A child couldn’t travel alone. It’s too dangerous for one thing. A child is too obvious a target in more ways than one. If you get my drift.’

‘I do. A target for everyone. But when I say child, I don’t mean a young child. From what Cecily told me, I believe Elise, the professor’s younger daughter, is about sixteen or seventeen.’

‘That’s better, easier, but it’s still a tough one. A young woman travelling alone on a train. They’re full of troops today, Diedre. Troops going on leave, going to other postings. A woman of any age is a bit vulnerable, actually.’

‘You’re right, of course. Look, I did some hard thinking in Zurich, and I came up with a plan, working on the assumption you could only get one exit visa, if that. And—’

‘I should never underestimate you, should I, Daffy Dilly?’

‘No, you shouldn’t, Toby Jung,’ she shot back through her laughter. ‘This is what I thought might work. I have a friend in American Intelligence. His old college roommate is an impresario. He’s often in Berlin, visiting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He’ll do favours for his best buddy. I’d put him on the train out of Berlin. With the girl. To protect her.’

‘That’s the border town before the crossing into Belgium and then France, and what if something goes wrong?’ Tony asked. ‘A civilian wouldn’t know what to do.’

‘I’ve made that trip, and I realize there are very tough guards at the border. Passengers have to get off the train, show their passports, exit visas, whatever travel documents they have, and the guards do open suitcases. But things don’t often go wrong. You’ll have to brief this man, the escort – and if he sees something odd, or feels there are suspicions about them, he’ll simply get off the train with the girl, and go into the town of Aachen. From there he’ll contact you.’

‘Understood, and I’ll have to take it from there …’ He let his sentence trail off. They didn’t have a safe house in Aachen now.

‘It won’t go wrong,’ Diedre assured him.

‘What about the passport the girl has? With “J” stamped on it?’ Tony suddenly asked.

‘If the girl has a return ticket to Berlin, she won’t come under any suspicion. She’s going on holiday to Paris, returning home to Berlin in two weeks.’

‘And she’s going with a man, is she?’ Tony shook his head. ‘That might look strange to some people, especially if he’s older.’

‘I agree. The alternative is to put the man on the train alone in the same carriage. The girl will be told he’s there to watch over her, and therefore he’s not a threat. But they’ll behave as if they don’t know each other, look like total strangers.’

Tony nodded his head vehemently. ‘That’s much better. I think that will work. How do you know this fellow will do it?’

‘I don’t. But it is a workable plan, a good one,’ Diedre asserted.

‘What happens when the girl gets to Paris?’

‘He’ll take her to the British Embassy, where she’ll get an entry visa for Britain. It will be waiting for her. And then they’ll take the train to London together, and I’ll pick it up from there.’

‘Do you think Germans who are Jewish and have a “J” stamped on their passports are likely to travel, to go on a break?’ Tony pursed his lips. ‘I can’t help wondering if the guards might not think it odd. And there are often Gestapo on the trains.’