The Life That I Have

Chapter 2

When Anya returned to the attic, she immediately went over to her suitcase and began to ransack it. Out came various garments, skirt, blouses, dresses, socks and stockings all went flying across the room. At last she pulled out the thing she wanted; her one and only evening dress.

She met Rudi at the café as they had arranged. Now the Germans had brought in the curfew, people had to be locked up in their houses by nine o'clock every night. If you where caught on the streets past that time, you would be arrested. There was little partying now, not since France had been invaded. The French were not in the right mood for parties, and the German's parties had a distinct lack of women which made them unappealing.

   Cheerful music was sweeping itself up and down the small street when Rudi and Anya reached the café-club, arm-in-arm.

  Inside, it was dimly lit, with young couples dancing slowly around the centre of the room. Small clusters of officers stood around the crowded bar area, cigarette smoke rising in a halo around them.

  Rudi and Anya where immediately ambushed by a Nazi general.

  "Ah, Gefreiter Hein, you must introduce me to your charming companion."

  "Certainly general. General von Fredrichs, this is Yvette Yare."

  Anya shook hands gingerly with the General, whilst cursing herself for coming.

  The general bowed, excused himself and returned to his colleagues. 

  Rudi sat her down at a small table and started weaving his way through the crowd to the bar. Anya glanced around apprehensively. All of a sudden, her heart lurched. There, standing by the bar, was the private who had chased her the previous afternoon.

  As his eyes met hers, she saw the look of recognition flash in them. She looked away, trying not to look guilty. When she dared to take another look, she saw he was talking to General von Fredrichs, and pointing at her.

  Just as she stood up to make a run for it, Rudi returned, quickly put the drinks down on the table (losing most of of their contents) and took Anya firmly by the wrist.

  "Rudi, I feel sick – I need to…" she began, but Rudi, unhearing, pulled her out onto the dance floor and they stiffly started the slow waltz. Anya tried to wriggle free, but his grip was too strong.

  "Dance slowly towards the back door," he ordered, whispering.

  Anya opened her mouth to protest, but stopped herself. What could she do?

  When they got outside to the small empty courtyard, Rudi stopped dancing and let her go.

  "Those men in there recognize you. You're British, aren't you?"

  "Don't be ridiculous!" she spat out.

  "Don't take me for a fool. I know a bad French accent when I hear one."

  Anya stood gaping for a second, rather like a goldfish.

  "We have no time!" Rudi hissed.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean I'm going to help you escape. Now, can you climb walls?"

  Anya was too surprised to say anything. She just nodded dimly.

  "Well, get over that wall and get away. I'll cover for you."

  Without having to hear any more, Anya scrambled over the wall and into the dingy back alley behind. It would be curfew soon. Tears streamed down her face. She'd messed it up. How could she have been so stupid?

  Later, she reflected, she hadn't even had a single dance with her gallant protector!