Chapter 41

That evening Helen helped Babs with the washing up while Ida and Peggy watched over Bobby as he played on the floor with the teddy Ida had made for him out of an old felt skirt and stockings for stuffing. The day had been far better than she had expected, thanks to Bobby receiving a present and the delicious meal provided by Tony's family. She didn't recall her stomach feeling this comfortably full for months now and it was such a treat.

‘It wasn't such a bad Christmas, all things considered,' Babs said, placing a clean wet plate onto the wooden drainer for Helen to dry.

Helen agreed. ‘It cheered me up watching Bobby eat so well and he had so much fun. I worry that he isn't getting enough nutritious food, but today helped.'

She wondered why Babs had stopped washing crockery and turned her head to look at her. She was surprised to find her friend studying her. ‘What is it?'

‘You seem a little down today.' Babs shook her head. ‘Or rather troubled. Yes, that's what it is. Has something happened?'

‘I wasn't sure whether to mention it.'

Babs placed her hands on her hips. ‘Go on. Tell me.'

Helen explained about the Hauptmann making her feel uncomfortable at Villa Millbrook and hearing his voice coming from her aunt's house the previous night. ‘There's something vicious about him,' she said thoughtfully. ‘You can see it in his eyes. I don't mind admitting it shook me up.'

‘I'm not surprised.' Babs rested a wet hand on Helen's forearm. She gave a sharp intake of breath. ‘You don't think he's the one who's taken to calling on Peggy?' she asked. ‘I was hoping he was more annoying than dangerous. Do you know his name?'

Helen thought for a moment. ‘I do. He's called Hauptmann Schneider.' She shuddered. Then, continuing with the drying up, she added, ‘Try not to worry too much.'

‘I'll try not to, but we'll let Mum and Peggy know what's happened, and we'll all be more vigilant about keeping you and Bobby out of sight.'

Helen thanked her but wasn't very reassured. The thought of spending even more time stuck in the attic was wearing. She was beginning to feel like a discarded ragdoll that rarely saw the light of day. She gave herself a mental shake. Feeling sorry for herself wasn't going to get her anywhere.

They finished their chores and took cups of weak tea through to Ida and Peggy. Helen wondered how many times the tea leaves had been reused. She was glad not to need milk any longer, now that there was so little to share among them.

‘Helen has something to tell you both,' Babs announced, after picking up Bobby's teddy and pretending to make it walk along the floor before handing it back to the giggling child. She took a seat next to Helen on the small two-seater sofa that had seen better days.

‘Go on, lovey,' Ida said.

Ida and Peggy listened intently as Helen explained about recognising one of the voices the previous night. ‘He has black hair and a deep scar on his right cheek from here to here,' she told them, running a fingertip from the right side of her mouth almost to her right ear. ‘Does that sound like the same man who comes to see you, Peggy?'

Peggy shook her head. ‘No. Anyway the soldier pestering me is called Captain Heinrich Engel.'

Helen closed her eyes with relief. ‘I'm glad about that. Although knowing Hauptmann Schneider is living next door is worrying.'

"Do you recognise any of the others?' Peggy asked, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees.

Helen sighed. ‘Unfortunately, I do. His name is Leutnant Klaus Müller. He has fair hair and seems rather gentle, if a little creepy. I think he's lonely rather than dangerous, though, unlike Hauptmann Schneider. They're often together for some reason and both spent time at Villa Millbrook.'

‘I have to admit it unnerves me having them next door.' Peggy thought for a moment. ‘What was the leutnant like with you? I mean, how did you find him?'

Helen thought back to the hard-boiled egg and meat he had given to her. ‘He was kind. In fact, he went out of his way to give me food to bring home for Aunt Sylvia.' Helen felt the colour rise in her cheeks, hoping they didn't jump to the wrong conclusion. ‘He had intended it for Bobby but obviously had no idea he couldn't eat it. I think he's quite young, and inexperienced about life.'

‘Hmm.' Peggy nodded. ‘Good to know he wasn't troubling you. And what about the Hauptmann?'

Helen groaned. ‘I just always felt there was some sort of underlying threat in whatever he said. It was never anything I could put my finger on, more how he leered at me and blocked my way so that I had no choice but to listen to what he wanted to say.' She thought back to the other times she had seen him in the dining room. ‘I was always anxious in his presence, even when he didn't speak to me.'

‘Pop some more wood on the fire, will you Peggy?' Ida asked. ‘I think we need to be extra careful with them next door. We won't be able to pretend you're one of my daughters, Helen, not if they already know you.' She frowned. ‘It's rotten luck having them living at Sylvia's.'

Helen couldn't agree more. ‘I'm sorry to add to your worries,' she said feeling a lump constricting her throat. ‘You're all so kind and I've been an endless source of trouble for you all. Maybe I should let Tony find me somewhere else to move to?'

‘You'll do nothing of the sort,' Ida snapped, glaring at her. ‘And I'll have no more of that talk. You'll both stay here where I can watch over you for Sylvia. I've told you before we're glad to be able to take care of you, and I meant it.'

Helen didn't know how much longer she could stand the weight of her guilt, putting these gracious women's lives at risk. Maybe she should take it upon herself to speak to Tony when he next came to the house? If she got the chance to talk to him alone, which she doubted would happen.