My Name is Eva An absolutely gripping and emotional historical novel - Suzanne Goldring Page 0,30

his newspaper, peering over half-moon spectacles, which he removed as Eva entered.

She held out the headed letter she’d received that had directed her to the hotel. ‘I hope I’ve come to the right place. I heard there might be some openings here.’

‘Could be,’ he said. ‘If you don’t mind hearing a few sob stories.’ He waved at the unoccupied chair opposite him. ‘Brian Joliffe. Very pleased to meet you.’ He looked kind, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled, so unlike the icy features of Colonel Robinson. She glanced down at the newspaper and noticed he’d half-completed the crossword, something the cold Colonel would consider a frivolous waste of time.

‘Eva Kuscheck,’ she said as they shook hands. ‘I’ve been hearing a lot of sad stories lately. Trouble is, I don’t like the way they’re being told. Or rather, the way they’re being dragged out of the subjects concerned.’

‘Where’s that then?’ Joliffe beckoned to the waiter, who had appeared in the doorway, a tray tucked under his arm. ‘Kaffe und Küchen, bitte.’ Then he glanced at Eva and said, ‘We’ll see what they can rustle up, shall we? There’s not much variety with all the shortages, but the food is gradually getting better.’

‘I’m happy with anything, thank you, although I haven’t had much appetite lately, because of my present job.’

‘So where are you now?’

‘Bad Nenndorf.’

His expression changed immediately and he reached for the silver cigarette case on the table, offered it to Eva, who shook her head, then took one out for himself. Tapping the cigarette on the little table, he said, ‘I’m not surprised you want to leave. Rumours are circulating that Bad Nenndorf is a bad, bad operation. Remind me who’s the chap in charge there?’

‘Colonel Stephen Robinson. Do you know him?’

‘Heard of him. I’m told he knows how to get results.’ He looked at Eva and fumbled in his jacket pocket for a lighter.

Eva hung her head. ‘I suppose you could say he makes absolutely sure nothing gets in the way of him getting the results he wants. Doesn’t mean to say those results are the truth, though.’

‘That’s pretty much what I’ve heard too. He could come unstuck eventually, but for now, he’ll be giving the Allies exactly what they want.’

‘I’ve tried my best,’ Eva said, biting her lower lip. ‘I’ve told him and the others, but no one will listen to me. And now one of the prisoners has died and others are likely to follow, given how they’re being treated. I can’t stay there much longer, I’ve got to get out as soon as I can.’

‘When did you sign up?’

‘I joined the ATS in ’43. August, actually.’

‘So you haven’t done your three years yet.’ He drew on his cigarette and paused. ‘But you could get out early on medical grounds. Fake it, keep going off sick. Or pretend you’re pregnant. That’ll scare them, they’ll have you out on your ear in no time then.’ He winked at her. ‘Think you could do that?’

Eva was shocked for a second, then she laughed. ‘I’d do anything to get away, but won’t that mean seeing a doctor? How will I get them to believe me?’

Brian smiled. ‘You needn’t worry about that. Let me know when you’re ready to move on and I’ll arrange the medical for you.’

As their food and drink arrived, each slice of cake topped with whipped cream, she said, ‘But why are you recruiting here? You haven’t told me what I would be letting myself in for. Though it can hardly be worse than where I am right now.’

Brian was distracted by the food, thanking the waiter, then saying, ‘I guessed they’d give us apple cake again. I think they must have had a good crop this autumn, it’s apple this and apple that everywhere I go. Still, it’s jolly good.’ He passed one of the scalloped porcelain plates to Eva. ‘Now, where were we?’

‘The job, the position you’re recruiting for. What is it?’

‘Ah, yes. It’s a newish outfit. You probably won’t have heard of it.’ He slid a forkful of cake piled with cream into his mouth, then wiped his lips with the napkin as he munched. After a second, he said, ‘What do you think is desperately needed here in this country right now?’

Eva stared at him, her cake untouched. ‘Rebuilding? Restoration of agriculture and industry? I saw how damaged the stations and railways were when I was travelling across Germany. And I know the people are short of food. A driver