Barbara Bradford - The Cavendon Luck

‘And just look where you ended up. With me. And that’s been good because we’ve been able to have a proper talk without fear of eavesdroppers. And we’ve made a plan.’

‘Now everything depends on you, Tony.’ Picking up the menu, Diedre stared at it, but her mind was on the days ahead and what she had to do.

Looking up from the menu, she added, ‘I’m afraid I shall stick with my usual … Bockwurst and sauerkraut, with potato pancakes and apple sauce first.’

He laughed. ‘I’m having the same, I love their Bavarian white sausage.’ He frowned, then said, ‘I would love to have a cold beer, but I suppose I can’t.’

‘I’d join you if I could, but we daren’t drink, Tony. We’ve got to be on our toes at all times. Life can change in a split second. You never know what’s going to happen. Especially in our business.’

‘You’re right.’ He signalled to the waiter and ordered the food, and then turned to Diedre. He murmured softly, ‘I think there might be a time element here; things are changing so swiftly in Berlin. I want to try to get the suitcase out before the end of this month.’

Diedre looked at him, her blue eyes searching his face. ‘Do you know something I don’t?’

‘No. But I think trouble is brewing. Also, there’s a whole new feeling in the air … a sense of expectation … Something big is coming. I just don’t know what.’

‘Then you will have to be quick and nimble,’ Diedre answered. ‘Now, here’s the information you need about the safe house in Aachen.’

She spoke and he listened, memorizing the address and other details. A few minutes later, Tony asked, ‘By the way, what’s the name of the impresario, the American gent who’s often in Berlin?’

‘He’s called Alexander Dubé, and he is American. Born and brought up there. French father. He’s apparently very dignified and elegant in his appearance. Speaks French and German, and he’s as clean as a whistle. And he doesn’t mind doing a favour for my friend at the American Embassy, who I will fill in when I get back. But you’ll have to deal with Alexander Dubé here.’

‘No problem, Boss,’ he answered and grinned at her. ‘Here comes our gourmet lunch, Daffy Dilly.’

‘I’m glad I found you alone,’ Diedre said, following Cecily into her suite at the Adlon. ‘Where is everyone?’

‘They decided to go to the Tiergarten, because Charlie hadn’t seen it, and Daphne went along as well. They were then going to Horcher’s for lunch.’

‘I see. Didn’t you want to go, Ceci?’

‘Not really, I’m already back in my work mood …’ She paused, half smiled. ‘Miles wanted us to honour this break, but I’m not very good at holidays, you know that. I needed to speak to Dottie, go over a lot of things. With a war undoubtedly in the wind I have so many plans to make for the business. It’s all rather urgent.’

‘I understand. Did you speak to Greta this morning?’

‘No, I didn’t really have reason to, and anyway I wanted to avoid it, if the truth be known. Rather cowardly on my part, isn’t it?’

Diedre shook her head, and said, ‘Not at all. I know how you feel. I got a bit of unexpected and interesting news yesterday – only by chance, of course. And I know it’s going to please you.’

Cecily looked at her sister-in-law, expectancy filling her eyes. ‘Is it about Professor Steinbrenner?’

‘Quick as a tick, you are, Cecily. Yes, it is, but I don’t want you to get too excited. My friend Tony Jenkins from the embassy has told me several English people will be at the reception tonight. Lady Arabella Cunningham, who is now married to a German prince. Daphne used to know her when they were girls.’

‘How amazing. And it will make Daphne feel better about going. She really doesn’t like being here.’

Diedre nodded. ‘I know. She has a great aversion to Germany. The academic and broadcaster, Sir Anthony Parry, is coming, and he’s asked if he can bring an old friend, Professor Steinbrenner.’

‘Oh, thank God. I’m going to meet him, and in the most normal way … quite by accident.’ Cecily was obviously thrilled.

‘Yes, you are. However, when I told Tony he was also an acquaintance of ours, he said the professor hadn’t yet replied to the invitation.’

Cecily’s face fell. ‘I do hope he comes. It would be lovely to go back to London and tell Greta I had talked with her father. I know it would make her feel so much better.’ Cecily paused, and then asked quietly, ‘Do you think he’ll come?’

Diedre shook her head, gave a half shrug. ‘I just can’t answer that. However, I got the impression that Sir Anthony and the professor are very good friends of long standing, so I’m going to hazard a guess and say it’s more than likely he’ll be there this evening.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me last night?’ Cecily asked, frowning.

‘There really wasn’t a chance; we were surrounded by family and Charlie hardly stopped talking. Anyway, I need to speak to you very seriously, that’s another reason I waited until this afternoon.’

‘You sound so grave,’ Cecily responded, searching Diedre’s face. ‘Go on, tell me. I’m all ears.’

‘I want to caution you to be extremely careful how you handle the meeting with Professor Steinbrenner. You must watch your words. There can be no discussion about getting the family out, or anything like that. Talk mostly about Greta, how wonderful she is, how much you rely on her. Be very positive in every way. No woeful commiserations about his predicament.’ Diedre paused for a moment, then continued, ‘I’ve only been to a couple of these receptions over the years, but they are now very crowded, so Tony explained. Everyone comes to the British Embassy “bun fight”, as he calls it. Look, Ceci, all eyes will be on us, because of who we are. And never forget walls have ears.’

‘Even carpets do,’ Cecily shot back, and they both laughed, breaking the solemnity of the moment.

Swallowing her laughter, Cecily said, ‘I promise to be extremely cautious – careful in everything I say and do. I truly understand the situation. You’ve made it very clear to me. And I know I must keep this bit of information to myself, correct?’

‘Yes. It’s better you look surprised when Professor Steinbrenner is introduced. So don’t tell Miles or anyone else.’

‘I won’t. Are you going to mention Lady Arabella to Daphne?’

‘I thought about it long and hard today, and I think it’s better if I just leave it alone. She’ll meet her in a natural way, be brought over to Daphne, I’ll make sure of that.’ Noticing a look of puzzlement in Cecily’s eyes, Diedre went on swiftly, ‘I want the evening to be casual, very normal. And I want us all to enjoy it. Tony says there’ll be lots of interesting people there, and that it will be fun.’

Cecily made a face. ‘Fun, eh? At a time like this, with the world on the edge of a precipice. Sometimes I can’t figure it all out … or why people behave the way they do.’ She shook her head. ‘To be honest, deep down inside I’m filled with alarm about the future.’

‘And so am I,’ Diedre answered quietly. ‘But not everyone sees things the way we do. They don’t understand politics, what’s happening around them. And so they live their lives as usual. And we have to do that for the moment as well. We must keep a smile on our faces, Ceci, and never show fear.’

‘Right,’ Cecily said, ‘So you’re going to wear my black crêpe de Chine frock tonight, but you will need some jewels to liven it up.’

Diedre laughed. ‘I didn’t take anything like that with me to Geneva last week. I’d gone on an overnight trip. Can you help me out?’