***
Over the next few days, after dinner with her grandmother, Stephanie curled up on the sofa with Sophie’s journals. She was enjoying being pulled back into another time. She had started reading at the beginning of 1939 and was now through to August. Sophie had been to a dinner party with Edward and her brother David, while they were home on leave.
David and I had dinner at Knox Manor last night. We were not the only guests. Edward’s father and brother Charles were entertaining foreign visitors and looked none too pleased when we arrived. Edward was called aside and we heard the word Wakefield said in not a very nice manner!
However, Edward’s mother, always charming, introduced us to Baron von Katsburg and Herr Ritter, business acquaintances from Munich and Herr Hoffman, the curator of the National Gallery in Berlin.
Herr Hoffman was a curious fellow. He was very quiet at dinner and talked only with Charles. Only after dinner when Mr Knox and Charles retired to the study with their other guests, did Herr Hoffman join us in the drawing room.
He told a most unusual story about the Berlin Fire Brigade setting fire to countless items of irreplaceable art on the orders of Hitler himself! I do believe he had tears in his eyes as he described the beautiful paintings that he had witnessed being burned. He told us in a whisper, looking over his shoulder in the direction of the study, that he thought Hitler to be a madman. He didn’t find anyone in our little group to contradict that opinion! He swore that he would spend the rest of his life trying to safeguard these irreplaceable paintings that were being needlessly destroyed!
Stephanie worked several afternoon shifts at the café during the week, while Andy rehearsed with the band. The conversation on Friday, as she made numerous coffees, teas and hot chocolates, was dominated by the fact that The Fury was playing at the pub again that night.
When her shift finished she collapsed on a sofa in the corner, with a flat white and her book. Michael arrived a short time later to discuss some updates to the band’s website, with Andy.
“Are you coming tonight, Steph?” he asked. Stephanie looked up from her book, The Origins of World War II. Having spent the week reading her diaries, Stephanie felt like she was really getting to know Sophie. And that in turn, had rekindled her interest in mid-twentieth century European history. She had briefly studied it at school, but it somehow seemed more relevant, less abstract, living in England with family connections to anchor her to the past.
“No. I don’t think I’d be very welcome,” she said as she noticed James, who had arrived with Andy, holding court on the opposite side of the room. He caught her eye, scowled and looked away. Ouch, you arrogant, conceited…Stephanie quickly looked back at Michael. “And besides, I have an action packed evening with a bunch of dull old lawyers,” she said with a wry laugh.
“Lucky you.” Michael noticed the look that passed between Stephanie and James. “Hey, what’s happened between you and Knox?” he asked. “I thought you two were getting cosy, but he’s been shooting you daggers all week.”
“Long story and one I won’t bore you with. Suffice to say the feud between our families is alive and well,” she said. She went back to her book, feeling miserable, while Michael sat up at the counter with his iPad open and chatted to Andy.
She heard laughter across the room and looked over and saw James, Jack and Dave with their heads together.
She sighed and gathering her things, waved to Andy as she walked to the door.
As she passed James’s table, he glanced up. “What are you looking at?” he asked cruelly.
Stephanie stopped and very obviously looked him up and down. “I’m not sure, but there are a number of labels that could easily fit,” she retorted grimacing.
Behind him Jack hooted with laughter and hi-fived Dave.
James’s lip curled, “You little…”
With a toss of her hair she strode from the building before he could finish.