The Cuckoo's Song

Chapter Fourteen

The news of the Führer's death had come just a few days after Elli's birthday. It was so welcome. Now they were well and truly ready to push on to Berchtesgaden.

Elli and Anna said a very heartfelt goodbye to Rosa. It was hard to see her and Gabby part. Even though Gabby insisted it was time to go home, she would clearly miss her mother. She kissed and hugged her goodbye, then climbed onto the truck with everyone else. All the boys waved to Rosa, Abe holding Elli as she continued waving as the truck pulled out of the town.

It didn't take them long to reach the outskirts of Berchtesgaden. It wasn't far away at all. They did have to wait for hours before finally getting into the town itself. Other Allied troops had already taken it and were now pushing on to the Eagle's Nest.

When their trucks arrived, Gabby asked Hollywood and Abe to help take their things and began leading them just outside of the town centre. Elli stayed up ahead with Gabby as she led the way. Gabby had promised Elli her own room and she was chatting to her about it. Hatcher had said in exchange for her help and for housing Anna and Elli, that they would leave her property be. It was common practice for the Americans to take over houses to have somewhere to stay, and Gabby was relieved it wouldn't affect her.

Hollywood went ahead with them as well, trying his best to leave Anna and Abe alone. They were happy dawdling and bringing up the rear. They were discussing what they could get up to here in this new town.

"Well, it will be far more peaceful here," sighed Abe contentedly. "With the big guy dead, fighting ain't gonna last much longer. Then it will just be occupation for a while."

"That all suits me just fine," said Anna.

"You don't mind your country being taken over by us Yanks for a while, then?"

"It does not feel like it is my country," she admitted. "It hasn't for many years."

"So, do you not think you'll stay here, then?" 

"We do not have anywhere else to go."

"But, say you did," he ventured. "Would you wanna leave if there was a better option?" Was he hinting at something?

"I suppose I would," she said quietly, his grin spreading. They were quiet for a moment.

"So," he said, changing the subject, "what do you reckon the bars are like here?"

"No idea. But give Hollywood an evening, and I'm sure he will be able to tell you."

Abe chuckled, Anna tittering too. "Maybe there will be somewhere to go dancin'," he suggested. "Do you like dancin'?"

"With the right company, I do."

"Do I count as that?"

"Most certainly," she replied, their eyes locking again.

"Then, I'd love to take you... if you were up for it." He mumbled his words when he got nervous. Anna found it entirely endearing.

"I'd love to go, if you asked me," she said, both of them smiling again.

"We're here," called Gabby, both of their gazes snapping forward now. She had stopped in front of a huge house. It was glorious, the whole thing surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. There were steps leading up to the front door, everything ornate and perfectly kept.

"Damn," said Abe, looking up at it in awe.

"Now, you're about to meet my sister-in-law," explained Gabby. "She's been looking after the house since my husband passed away. I sent her a letter to say we were coming, but I have no idea if she's received it."