73

THE BOY STOOD to attention when Brandt came down the steps. Agneta looked up and felt hope inside her once again, warming her.

‘I need some of you inside – there’s work to be done. You, you and you.’

Brandt pointed to the two Bible students, Katerina and Gertrud – then at her. His tone was brusque. Exactly as it should be.

‘You two,’ he said to the others. ‘Finish as soon as you can. It’s warmer inside. Fischer, send them straight in when it’s done.’

Brandt led the way to the kitchen, giving instructions as he walked.

‘I need some bedrooms made up – that will be your job, Gruber. As for you two,’ Brandt turned his attention to the two Bible students. ‘You have cooking to do – but, first let’s light the fires and put some heat back into this place. Quickly now. Gruber, follow me.’

Agneta followed him into the dining room, where Brandt turned the key in a heavy oak cabinet. The inside sparkled with silver.

‘I need you to set the table for three. Get to work,’ he said, perhaps a little too loudly. Neumann must be in his office.

She watched him leave before walking over to the cabinet. As she reached towards the pile of linen tablecloths, she saw he had left the cutlery canteen open and there, twinkling up at her, lay a small, sharp kitchen knife. She picked it up and then placed it back down immediately – Brandt had come back into the room. She turned, and saw his gaze fall from hers to the knife.

‘The plan is that the guards will leave tomorrow evening – to go to the mine camp,’ he said in a low voice. ‘They are to take you with them. All of you. From there, they are to march to another camp to the west – I don’t know where. I’m not sure Neumann does either.’

She felt her hope sink slowly down through her body, down her thighs, her calves, until it reached her feet.

‘I have a plan of my own,’ he said. His gaze pointed to the knife. ‘But if things change suddenly, you might need that. The situation is chaotic, as you know.’

She picked up the knife. She knew she wouldn’t last more than a day or two on a march in this weather. Maybe she should use the knife on herself.