The Cuckoo's Cage

Chapter Eighteen

Anna was happy to let the children do their own thing that afternoon. She felt no need to watch them so closely; except Eric, but she had just put him down for a nap. Ernst had gone with Freddie to make inspections around the camp ready for Altmann's visit, and Ilse had left for town so that she wasn't stuck in the house with her. Anna was glad. It was lovely and peaceful. She liked being curled up by the sitting room fire, Solveig's Song playing as she rubbed her growing stomach. The baby always kicked when she listened to it. She was finding it harder to not completely forgive Hans in her heart. It was difficult. Being pregnant with his child pulled her to him. She could only conjure images of their future, and how wonderful it might be. The problem was Elli never appeared in those daydreams. If she thought about Elli separately, she could see her curled up with herself and the baby. But her sister and Hans were never in the same picture. She tried her best not to dwell on it. It would do no good. She'd already made her choice, and she would stand by it.

She heard the front door sound, pulling her from her daydream. She was confused; no one was expected. She stopped the record playing, listening to the murmuring voices. Soon, footsteps carried the intruder towards her. Elsa opened the door.

"Pardon the intrusion, but Obersturmführer Keller is here to see you." Anna looked at her quizzically. He certainly wasn't supposed to be here.

"Show him in," she said, getting to her feet as quickly as she could. She watched him stride past Elsa, not paying her any attention at all. He was covered in snow, Anna noting how it complimented his icy appearance. They stood, staring at one another, neither quite knowing what to do. Anna cleared her throat. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked, Keller's eyes widening in surprise.

"Something stronger, if you have it."

"Help yourself to the drinks cabinet," she said. He nodded, going and doing as she asked. "Thank you, Elsa, that will be all." Elsa nodded, closing the door behind her. "You must have a death wish," said Anna, looking at Keller as he poured himself some of Ernst's brandy. He sipped it slowly, coming to stand in front of her again.

"Can't see him being any angrier with me than he already is," he commented.

"So then why are you here?"

"I'm not entirely sure of that myself," he said, a little exasperated. "I just know that I wanted to see you, and this has been my first opportunity." She couldn't take her eyes off him. He seemed even more defeated than the last time she had seen him. It was unnerving. Keller had always been so difficult to predict, but this was even more disconcerting. "You should sit down," he said quickly, looking at the sofa behind them. She nodded, making to do so. But to her surprise, he took her arm and helped her down, easing her into the seat.

"Thank you," she whispered. He nodded, then sat beside her. There was an awkward silence. "So, why did you want to see me?" she asked after a while.

"I just...," he trailed off. "You seemed strangely peaceful at Christmas."

"And you were coming to put a stop to it?" she retorted. A smile flickered in the corner of his mouth. Was he just here to have someone to argue with?

"Perhaps I have just missed our conversations," he replied. "Everyone else is so terribly dull."

"I'm glad I can be so entertaining," she sighed, her hand resting on her stomach again. He watched her thumb stroke her bump, his eyes following every stroke.

"When are you due?" he asked, Anna trying not to give him the correct answer.

"Springtime," she said quickly, Keller nodding a little.

"You're already very big," he said. "I never remember Ilse being that big."

"All babies are different," she said.