A/N: I'm sorry for another long delay. Work has devoured my life! Though there was a shining month of joy in the summer when I was able to fly back home to New Zealand to visit my mother and other family that I hadn't seen since before the pandemic. I hope your lives have also been brightened by similar happy reunions.
If you are still reading this story you have my heartfelt gratitude.
It's time for our newlyweds to say Auf wiedersehen to each other.
ooooOOOOoooo
Chapter 30: Time to say goodbye
When you are far away
I dream on the horizon
And words fail,
and, then I know
that you are with me;
you, my moon, are here with me,
you, my sun, you are here with me
.
Time to say goodbye
to countries I never
saw and shared with you.
I know there is no light
in a room where the sun is absent,
if you are not with me.
(Time to say goodbye, lyrics translated from Italian)
The sky was a deep azure blue as Maria and Georg drove down the mountain after their honeymoon. It was another glorious late summer day, with delicate wisps of cirrus clouds forming trails across the sky. Still, the ominous rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance; a warning of what was to come. The Anschluss, they knew, was a threat far more devastating than a summer storm. It would wreck such havoc that everything they loved about Austria would be laid waste in its wake.
Was this what it had felt like when Adam and Eve had been banished from Paradise and had been forced to face the real world? Maria wondered sadly.
She endeavoured to shake off her somber mood with the beautiful memories of their last three days. Their little mountain chalet had been like a haven, a private magical world where they could lose themselves with rapturous abandon. She blushed recalling all the times they had been locked together in a passion made more profound by their love for each other. It still had the power to both shock and thrill her.
Although initially Georg had guided her tenderly into the wonder and mystery of sensuality, instincts as old as womankind had been awoken in her. By their third day together she had been astonished to discover her own heady feminine power to make his heart thunder under her fingertips.
A mere look from her could have him reaching for her, their desire fresh and ravenous, as if they could not remember the last time. How exhilarating it had been for her to realise, that even with his sophistication, he had not been able to resist the allure of her tentative, exploring caresses. She couldn't quite believe how effortlessly it seemed, that she could over-ride the rigid discipline of his mind and his powerful need for control, and make him gasp and groan in an exquisite agony of need.
It made her feel as seductive as a temptress. It was astonishing for her, given that she felt so ordinary, that Georg could look at her and make her feel as if she were as ravishing as Helen of Troy, able to make him shed his armour of restraint and drive him out of his mind.
Now, as they wound their way through the mountain roads, her hand was tightly clutched in his. He only let go when he had to change gears, but his profile was stiff, his expression rigid with intolerable emotion. No doubt he was absorbed by the chaotic world they were re-entering. It hurt to see his stress. One thing she did know how to do though, was to distract him.
"Georg."
It was the softest of whispers, whipped away by the wind as they drove in the open-topped car. But he heard and glanced at her, his face tense and brooding.
Determined to draw him out of his grim mood, she looked at him with all the love shimmering in her eyes, unaware that her cheeks were delicately flushed with the roseate hues of passion. With a little burst of exultation she saw the shift in his emotions as she flashed him a radiant smile. That austere mouth softened with need and his eyes darkened with fierce, elemental hunger. Obeying instincts she barely understood she pulled her hand free of his and trailed her fingers provocatively along his thigh.
Georg muttered something harsh under his breath; it could have been an oath. Then he slammed on the brakes and reversed the car with accelerating speed, before turning abruptly off the main mountain route onto a rutted dirt path.
"Where are we going?" Maria asked, amused, as they bounced and lurched along the pitted road through a forest glade. She tried to hide her glee that he had responded so quickly but it was there dancing in her eyes.
Without replying he found a secluded spot to park, under a lattice of green leaves and branches, dappled by sunlight. With birdsong all around, and a soft warm breeze sighing through the bower of leaves, Georg got out, grabbed a blanket from the backseat, then wrenched her door open to take her hand.
"Why are we stopping here?" Maria asked, eyes wide with false innocence, mirth warming her voice.
"This is what happens when you practice your seductive wiles on me, my enchanting siren." The rich, husky timbre of his voice was velvet with promise. His mouth was slanted with rueful self-satire at how easily he could be bewitched by his wife. "It's quite disgraceful the way you take advantage of your poor helpless husband," he said with prim disapproval, making her burst into laughter.
Georg pulled her along a trail deeper into the forest, towards the distant melody of tumbling waterfall. Maria was delighted by his unashamed hurry. She was so thankful she had the power to give him peace by lavishing him with her love.
Georg placed the blanket in a leafy spot near the river and then stretched out on it. Maria's breath caught in her throat as hot scalding need surged through her. He looked so ruggedly masculine in his alpine clothes.
With a gleam of devilish humour in his eyes he lay back pretending to be as defenseless as a maiden about to be ravished. In a tone of martyred self-sacrifice he said, "Right, I suppose you want to have your wicked way with me?"
Maria knelt down beside him, her laughter lost in the sounds of the swiftly flowing river nearby as she kissed his pretend sulky mouth.
ooooOOOOoooo
It couldn't last though. By the time they arrived back at the villa, the euphoria and playful light-heartedness of their interlude had evaporated. Georg once again looked grave as he honked the horn for one of the grounds-men to open the gates to the back entrance.
He was shifting away from her she realized bleakly. It hurt her even though she knew he didn't love her any less. A part of her understood he needed to detach himself, to concentrate on the task ahead, otherwise he might give in to the need to leave with her and the children.
She could tell that his mind was recalibrating itself into a military mode, strategizing, pouring over every detail in his head so that he could execute his plans with meticulous precision.
"Maria, we have to prepare…."
Apprehension iced along her spine, seeping into her heart. Fear was like an oppressive weight in her chest that made it hard to even breathe. How long more would they have together now, four days? A week? Two? Oh please Lord give us two, before we have to part.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel while they waited. "The most important thing is to tell no-one of our plans." His voice was low and urgent. "We can't trust anyone beyond Max. You must carry on as if you have every intention of coming back here with the children after a couple of week's holiday in England."
Maria nodded, too raw to speak, feeling as if something was breaking inside her.
"The first thing I have to do is trick a snake," he muttered, preoccupied.
She looked puzzled.
"There is a powerful Austrian Nazi that I need to fool in order to enable you and the children to leave safely. Zeller." The name came out through gritted teeth.
"But they haven't taken over yet, why do we need to trick him? Surely we can just board a train?"
"They already hold de-facto power even though the Anschluss has not happened yet. The government can't to stop the chaos. Austrian Nazis are causing havoc with their street violence, giving Hitler the excuse to invade. Any of their thugs could easily kidnap you and the children, and hold you hostage until I agree to join them. I need to guarantee safe passage for you. For that, I need Zeller to think that I am considering changing sides."
He snorted in disgust. "I need him to believe that I will do the unthinkable and join them."
He drove through the gates and parked outside the back door. Franz hurried down to greet them. Maria composed her face to hide the distress of their conversation.
"Welcome back sir, Baroness." He was as stiff and cold as ever. Maria almost smiled, it must be an effort for him to have to greet her as the new lady of the house. He had never lost his thinly veiled disdain for her.
She greeted him politely though, ignoring his haughtiness, and then smiled as Frau Schmidt bustled forward welcoming warmly.
"Where are the children?" Maria was eager to see them. It would be a balm to her aching heart if she could hold them close.
"Oh they won't be back for a few hours. They're in town with Herr Detweiler," the housekeeper said with dismay. "They'll be so disappointed to have missed your arrival."
"Never mind," Georg said mildly. "We need to rest after our drive. Could we have lunch served on the master-bedroom balcony in a couple of hours please, Frau Schmidt?"
"Of course, sir."
Maria's cheeks flushed with mortification, convinced that everyone would know what they would be doing in the master-bedroom. It was so hard to reconcile their secret private life of sensuality with the formal polite world they usually inhabited. She wondered if she would ever get used to it.
Georg kissed Maria's cheek. "Let me check the mail, then I'll come up."
The dread dragged at his chest as he wondered what may have happened while they were away. He rifled through the letters and telegrams, then glanced at a newspaper. The headline had him staring in amazed disbelief, before bounding up the stairs to the bedroom.
Maria was standing in the bedroom feeling completely disoriented. She had been here once before, when they had first become engaged. It felt overwhelming to think she would share this room with him. She turned as Georg strode in holding a newspaper, surprised that he looked almost buoyant.
"What is it?"
"Look." Emblazoned across the front page was the headline: "Thus far, and no further!"*
"What does that mean" she asked, puzzled.
"The Chancellor made a speech yesterday: he's finally taken a stand against Hitler." Georg was jubilant. "He's drawn a line in the sand, saying he will not concede anything more. He's declaring that Austria will no longer be intimidated."
"But… what will happen?" Maria was too scared to hope that it might mean Georg would be safe.
"Well it may mean the Chancellor is willing to fight if Hitler provokes Austria anymore."
Maria's heart sank. Why was Georg so elated if he had to go to war?
"I don't understand," she said miserably. "Does it mean you will still have to fight?"
Georg tried to explain. "Yes, it seems more likely now. By finally standing up to the Third Reich, the Chancellor is giving Austria its self-respect back. After being bullied and intimidated for so long Austria can finally hold its head up high. It could mean that Hitler might back off, but I doubt it."
Maria stared at him, fighting for control but feeling her composure crumbling. She tried to understand his perspective as a patriotic Austrian and a military man, she really did. Rationally she knew how important it was for him that Austria would not cower and shamefully surrender. But emotionally she felt drenched in anguish.
To distract herself she read parts of Chancellor von Schuschnigg's speech. Her heart plummeted at his rallying cry around the Austrian flag: "Red white red, until we are dead!"*
The word dead detonated in her mind, blowing apart her defenses. Against her will she burst into tears. Suddenly it was all too much, trying to be brave all the time, trying not to show how scared she was for him when she was constantly savaged by the knowledge that she could lose him.
Through the blur of tears she saw Georg look at her in shock. With an oath he was pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly as she wept.
"Oh Maria, my darling. I'm sorry, so sorry for putting you through this," he said in a shaken voice. She was dimly aware that the only other time he had seen her cry was when they had pleaded with the Reverend Mother to allow them to marry quickly.
Suddenly she was angry with him. How could he be so willing to sacrifice himself in a fight that could not be won, leaving her and the children alone? At the same time she hated herself for her anger, and for not being able to support him wholeheartedly in his principles.
She knew he was not the first man to be torn between love and duty. Every soldier throughout history must have felt the same wrenching personal conflict. Nor would he be the last military man to be driven by his conscience to never surrender his responsibilities, whatever the cost. She should be proud of his integrity but she just felt wretched.
"How can you think to leave us like this, when we need you so?" She raged at him, overwrought with emotions.
He just held her tighter. If she had looked at his face she would have seen how haunted he looked, tormented by doubt and guilt.
He murmured into her hair repeatedly, "Forgive me. I have no choice."
Eventually Maria's sobs ceased and she felt exhausted. A feeling of depression settled on her, suffocating her like a thick layer of gray ash. Georg helped her to the bed and she fell asleep in his arms.
After some hours Georg kissed her awake. "The children will be home soon," he murmured, feeling remorse at her tear-ravaged face. "Maria I'm sorry –"
"No I'm sorry. I didn't mean to burden you with my fears when you have so much to worry about already. I'll try to be brave, as long as you promise to come back to us." Maria gave a wobbly smile, knowing that he couldn't make such a promise.
"I'll do everything in power to come back to you, I swear it." He kissed her wedding ring, a symbol of love and hope, of shared dreams for the future.
She nodded. That was all that she could ask for, along with her prayers. She would try harder to rekindle her optimism to fight the burden of worry. She cradled his face, not wanting to waste any of their remaining time. She changed the subject and with immense effort she shook off her despair.
"You haven't welcomed me to my new room yet," she said mischievously, watching the familiar languor steal over his face. Desire, thick and sweet like warm honey flowed through her.
"How very remiss of me," Georg murmured, reaching for her as if he were starving for her.
ooooOOOOoooo
The children were ecstatic to have them back. They poured out of the car, shrieking and shouting as if they hadn't seen their parents in weeks.
Max winced as the children excitedly recounted all the rules he had broken in only four days.
- "Uncle Max let us stay up really late, and then we ate cake in bed while he told us ghost stories!"
-"Uncle Max taught us four new songs!"
-"Uncle Max took us to the fair-ground, and Gretl ate so much cotton candy she was sick in the bushes!"
Maria and Georg merely chuckled at Max's misdemeanours.
"Thank you for looking after the children so well," Georg said ironically.
"Always a pleasure, Georg!"
"I'll be sure to send you the dentist's bill for any cavities."
ooooOOOOoooo
On their fourth day back, the snake that Georg had been trying to lure took the bait.
Over the previous days Georg had spent a great deal of time with Max and Maria in hushed conversation. He had suspected for some time that at least one of his staff was reporting to his enemies. In order to use that to his advantage the three of them pretended that Georg was considering changing sides. They would hurriedly break off the conversation whenever it appeared someone might overhear. As much as it felt like a ludicrous pantomime for Georg, it worked because he had an unexpected visit from Herr Zeller.
"This is a surprise, Herr Zeller," he said coolly, as Franz showed his guest into his study where they could have a private conversation. He bowed in a deliberate way that made a mockery of the courtesy. Zeller snapped his heels together in a Teutonic manner.
Outside, Maria was playing a game of statue tag with the children. The innocent sounds of laughter cut through the still afternoon air, reinforcing to Georg how much he needed to protect those he cherished. The primordial instinct to safeguard his family ran deep in his blood, driving him on. He had to deceive Zeller convincingly.
"Good afternoon Captain. I dropped in to offer my congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you Herr Zeller, how kind of you." It was a parody of politeness if only Zeller knew.
"May I say Captain, that your choice of bride was an excellent one," Zeller oozed oily charm. "I happened to be in the audience at the Festival and your wife's voice was unexcelled. She has a rare gift."
Georg nodded his acknowledgement, but his mouth tightened at Zeller's next words. Zeller looked out the window at Maria and the children.
"She is a fine example of Aryan femininity." His repellent smirk made Georg want to smash something, preferably his odious guest's face.
Zeller continued, "All that natural beauty, and the grace of motherhood too. You know of course that the Nazi party slogan for the glory of women is "kinder küche kirche." Your wife is the perfect example of "children, kitchen and church" which every Aryan pureblood female must aspire to."
Georg found he couldn't bear for Zeller to be even looking at his family, as if his rottenness could somehow taint their goodness. He blocked the window with his body.
"Please have a seat Herr Zeller." He asked Franz to bring coffee.
Zeller looked at the Captain assessingly. He knew he would have to use all his skills of diplomacy if he was to turn this ferocious critic of the Nazi Party into a shining beacon for the Third Reich. But perhaps, with the tide of history already turning, the Captain would be sensible enough to change his mind. His informant had already told him this was possible.
Still, the Captain was a stubborn, proud man and needed delicate handling. But what a prize it would be if he could recruit him to the Nazi cause. A decorated war hero no less, and a bride with extraordinary talent! Not to mention all those wonderfully photogenic Aryan children. Large families were important for the future of the Fatherland. The oldest boy would make a glorious leader for a Hitler Youth battalion, with his blond good looks and blue eyes. They could make posters of him and feature him in all their propaganda. He could imagine the gold that Goebbels would make of this trophy family.
Zeller knew that if he pulled this off, he would be rewarded with high honours in the Third Reich. He might be sent to Berlin. He salivated at the thought of the accolades that would be heaped on his head.
He focused on the new Baroness von Trapp for his opening strategy. What man wouldn't be proud to have his wife held up as the envy of all?
"When your wife won the Festival she received a telegram invitation for a live broadcast across the Third Reich."
"Did she? I really can't recall," Georg mused, lying glibly. "It was such a momentous evening for all of us."
"Understandably so, Captain. The invitation still stands. Such splendid talent will be amply rewarded in the Third Reich. Extraordinary fame and glory await her. We could start with a feature spread in the women's magazine NS FrauenWarte to promote her in the Third Reich. In addition to her singing, we could have pictures of her mothering all those charming children of yours Captain. She will be an exemplary role model for all our women."
Georg hid his revulsion and declined with civility. "I really don't think so Herr Zeller. My wife does not enjoy publicity. She is very modest. Nor do I wish to see my children paraded in propaganda material."
"I understand your need for privacy Captain, but sometimes one must think of the greater good. Your wife represents all the best virtues of womanhood." Seeing that he was getting nowhere with the Captain, he changed tack. "But perhaps we can discuss your career first instead."
Georg remained silent, not wanting to appear too eager.
"We have had our differences, Captain," Zeller began in a forgiving tone. "But I am sure that you are a big enough man to see the benefits the Third Reich will bring to Austria. And to you too." He gave a reptilian smile.
Georg's expression stayed unreadable as Zeller pressed on.
"Should you consider joining the Navy of the Third Reich, you will be promoted very highly in the ranking given your vast military experience. Your family will be taken care of quite magnificently, and may I say," he coughed as if raising a sensitive matter, "your family will be cushioned with great wealth and prestige."
"Wealth has not been a problem for me Herr Zeller," Georg said dryly, feeling his skin crawl at the way he was forced to appear to be interested in selling himself.
"Of course Captain. Well then, why don't we lay our cards on the table? Why don't you tell me what enticement I can offer to join our cause?" He paused with just a hint of menace. "Bearing in mind of course that your only true and sensible option is to join the Third Reich with full honours."
Only the ticking of the grandfather clock could be heard as Georg pretended to ponder.
"Well there is something I need help with."
"I would be glad to be of service."
"My wife is quite exhausted after all the publicity from winning the Festival, and in fact the press are still pursuing her. I want her have a holiday with the children to visit their grandparents in England. It would give her some much needed rest."
"A holiday?" Zeller's suspicions were raised immediately.
"Yes for two weeks." Georg opened his drawer to show the return train tickets he had purchased for his family.
Zeller examined them with narrowed eyes. "Are you telling me that they will definitely return, Captain? The timing of this is most unusual."
"The timing is perfect for us. The children will be back in time for the start of school in September. My sons have been accepted into the Theresian Military Academy and the girls will continue in their current schools."
"I see." Zeller pursed his lips. "What else can you say to guarantee they will come back, Captain?"
"I don't see how I can say more Herr Zeller, except perhaps, that I have given my wife the gift of a small chapel to be built in our grounds. The building work will start shortly." Georg felt sickened to have to reveal this to Zeller, but he had no choice as he showed him the model chapel. He hated to see Zeller pawing it. It felt like a desecration.
"I do hope you will not be joining them on this holiday Captain, at such an important moment in history."
"You have my word of honour Herr Zeller, that I will not."
Zeller was still not convinced. "Why England, Captain? England is an enemy of the Third Reich."
"As I am sure you know Herr Zeller, my first wife was half English. Her mother is an Austrian Countess. John and Elisabeth Whitehead left Austria when we lost our coastlines after the Great War."
"Yes, I remember the Whitehead U-boat and torpedo factories in Pola."
A brilliant idea came to Zeller. "If your former mother-in-law is a true patriotic Austrian, surely she could convince her husband to move back here? Trust me, if Whitehead sets up his factories in Bremerhaven he would have unimagined wealth and influence in the Reich."
Georg almost snorted, imagining John's reaction to such an offer. Instead he said, "What a marvellous idea Herr Zeller. Should you be able to guarantee my wife's holiday then I will be sure to send a letter to my father-in-law encouraging him to return."
Zeller preened, barely hiding his gloating triumph, convinced he was maneuvering the Captain into position. It was almost too good to be true: the Captain's recruitment to the Party, his wife and children as propaganda for the Reich, and then the return of the Whitehead munitions factories.
He smiled his most charming smile, not knowing that it was turning Georg's stomach.
"I think we have an agreement then Captain. I will guarantee her journey with the children, you will guarantee their return, and in the meantime you will consider the offer of your appointment, and encourage your father-in-law to return to Austria with his armament factories." He got up to leave.
"Now Captain, we need your decision about your future. The Anschluss is imminent, and believe me, the benefits will be far greater if you become one of us sooner, rather than later. My offers have a time limit."
"I understand Herr Zeller, but perhaps you will give me a week or so to consider. I am a newly married man after all. A brief interlude is all I need before I devote myself to the tasks ahead," Georg negotiated smoothly.
"Don't leave it too late Captain." There was a subtle threat in Zeller's voice.
Zeller stood, considering for a moment, while Georg restrained the impulse to drag him out of his room. He could hardly stand a moment more in his company.
"As an act of good faith Captain, may I give you some advice?" Zeller felt generous, convinced he had the deal he wanted.
Georg couldn't think of anything he needed less, than advice from Zeller. But he looked politely enquiring.
"Your friend, Detweiler…?"
"What about him?" Georg asked curtly
"Well he is rather a flamboyant character isn't he Captain?" Zeller sneered. "Perhaps you should know that when the Anschluss comes there will be a shake-up in the entertainment industry. All degenerate elements will be weeded out, leaving only what is pure and good. The culture of the Reich is too important to be left in the hands of undesirables. We know a great deal about Detweiler; enough that he should consider leaving Austria permanently, before it's too late."
Georg's mouth tightened but he didn't reveal his loathing for Zeller. He acknowledged that Zeller was saving Max by warning Georg now.
"I will pass on your message, Herr Zeller,"
"Do that, Captain. We wouldn't want you to feel bitter about the fate of your friends, now would we? And Captain when you do join the Third Reich, you will have to be more careful about the people you associate with. It will reflect badly on you and your family."
Go to hell Zeller, was what Georg thought but what he said was, "You have given me a great deal to think about Herr Zeller. Let's be in touch in a couple of week's time."
Georg stayed in his study, repulsed by his visitor but hoping his ruse had paid off. Maria came in, her cheeks flushed from her play with the children. Georg's heart clenched with love for her.
Knowing that someone could be listening at the door he walked to her. He said in a normal tone, "I just had a visit from Herr Zeller, he has given me some interesting offers to consider. I'm rather tempted." He rolled his eyes at his lies and Maria did her best not to laugh at his expression.
"Oh?" she asked, feigning curiosity.
He pretended to sound thoughtful. "I know I've always said that I would never join them, but I think it's time I reconsidered for the sake of the family."
He took her in his arms and whispered in her ear, "I feel like I have been coated in revolting slime. I need a bath. Care to come and scrub my back?"
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Maria said loudly, trying not to laugh.
ooooOOOOOoooo
Maria's prayers were answered and they did have two weeks together as a family. Every day was filled with happiness, though the joy was tinged with sorrow given what the future held. The days passed in a lull of contentment as the unbreakable bonds of family love were forged. Maria and Georg spent as much as time as possible with the children, hoarding each precious memory to squirrel away for the coming bleakness.
Maria practiced her singing from the Schubert songbook that she had given Georg as a wedding gift, glad of the pleasure and escape it gave him.
To the children's surprise their parents went to bed straight after them every night. Their father claimed that they were simply exhausted from playing with the children all day. The younger ones didn't know what to make of their new mother's blushes, though they felt sorry for her that their father insisted on such an early bedtime.
Georg took Max for a walk one afternoon.
"Good grief Georg, why on earth are we walking? Legs are meant for sitting at bars," Max grumbled. "I'm exhausted, and I'm getting a blister" he panted dramatically after a few meters. "Couldn't we drive?"
Georg was in no mood for banalities. "Listen Max, we agreed that after you take Maria to England you would return here, but there's a change of plans - you can't come back. It's too dangerous for you."
"Don't be silly Georg, I'm not leaving Sascha to grab all the talent."
"Goddammit Max!" Georg lost his temper. "I need you to take care of Maria and the children for me. I transferred a lot of the money before the Third Reich blockade of Austrian banks. So financially everything should be fine. But she will still need your support."
He added, reluctantly, "Also, the Nazis have said they are going to the target the 'degeneracy' in the entertainment industry." His tone was bitter. "Never underestimate what these people are capable of, Max. Don't make the mistake of thinking it will be possible to get along with them."
Max was uncharacteristically silent, so Georg continued.
"John Whitehead has contacts with the Home Office to get you permission to stay in England. Get Sascha out too. I'll pay for his expenses. Warn whoever else needs to be warned. Just don't come back until I say it's safe."
There was a long silence. "If you don't hear from me, I need you to be there for Maria for me. Tell her…."
He stopped.
Max said quietly, "She knows already Georg."
Georg nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"Damn you Georg, you had better make it," Max said gruffly. "Nobody has a wine cellar like yours," he joked feebly.
ooooOOOOoooo
Georg had kept in regular touch with General Towarek, whom he had met at the ball when Maria had first sung in public. The two military men were adept at having seemingly innocent conversations while conveying whatever information they needed to each other.
Towarek was one of Austria's most senior Generals so he was on the Intelligence Committee advising the Chancellor. Now, with Austria's top Nazi, Arthur Seysse-Inquart** appointed as Minister of Interior, against the will of the Chancellor, both Georg and the General knew the phone lines were even less secure. Nevertheless the two managed to give the appearance of a cheerful, harmless chat. In reality it made Georg's blood run cold. Hitler was livid about Austrian defiance.
Georg hung up the phone and put his head in his hands. It was time to let his family go.
The pain was like shrapnel embedded in his soul. He didn't know how he could bear it.
ooooOOOOoooo
The children were excited about their holiday with their grandparents. Maria had secretly packed each one's most prized possessions. None of them knew they wouldn't be coming back in the near future. Maria and Georg continued their pretense of happiness even though their hearts were heavy. They must have been convincing enough because the children didn't suspect a thing.
Maria went through the motions as if in a dream, or more aptly, a nightmare. Her heart felt lacerated with pain on their last night together. She wept through each last tender embrace and kiss, unable to sleep as dawn broke on the day of departure.
At the train station, Maria and Georg were taken to a VIP lounge while the children went ahead to the train. An associate of Zeller's spoke to them politely. Georg was under no illusions however, knowing there were many Nazi thugs at the station watching them. His grief over sending his family away manifested itself as a fury, that even he, with his formidable control, could not hide. He couldn't disguise the silky tone of ultimate rage as he spoke to Zeller's henchmen.
"Here's the letter that my wife will deliver to John Whitehead." The quiet terrifying menace in his voice made Maria shudder. She put a hand on his arm and Georg made a visible effort to calm down.
"Thank you Captain, Herr Zeller just wanted to check. And here is a letter authorizing your wife's travel out of Austria." The baby-faced minion looked petrified at Georg's incandescent rage. He tried for a friendly tone, believing Georg would be pleased by the approaching Anschluss.
"And of course, we will all be looking forward to welcoming your family back in two weeks time, sir. By then there will be all the more cause for celebration - at the dawn of a new era - as Austria takes its proper place in the Reich. We hope your wife will sing at the festivities to honour this momentous point in history. I'm a big fan of hers." He smiled tentatively at Maria and she managed a weak smile back.
Georg nodded curtly, refusing to allow the words to set a match to his incendiary temper. "Of course. Tell Herr Zeller I will speak to him tomorrow."
"Very good Captain."
Maria soothed Georg as the men left. Eventually his anger calmed to a manageable level, but Maria's heart felt as if it had shattered into a million pieces.
The children were already in their carriage with Max and Sascha. Maria was grateful they were there to entertain and distract the children. Georg came on board to hug and kiss each one, telling fatherly jokes that made them laugh uproariously in their high spirits. Only Maria knew how much it must have cost him to keep up the carefree appearance.
All too soon, the piercing shriek of a whistle signaled that the train was ready to leave. It was just one more reason to dislike whistles, Maria thought, as desolation swept through her.
Georg held Maria for a long time, neither able to speak. Then he climbed down from the train to the platform, smiling at the children as they poked their heads out of the window up ahead. Maria stood frozen in the doorway of the carriage, the agony too deep to even cry. She felt as if she were mortally wounded and could only move slowly. The door banged shut with a finality that pierced her with acute pain.
The trauma of that farewell was so deep for Maria, that from then on, the sounds of a train departing would haunt her, inducing panic and anxiety. With terrible clarity, she would remember first, the sudden grinding, screeching jerk as the brakes were released, causing the carriage to judder. For Maria it felt as if the gates of hell were opening. Then came the evil hiss of the brakes releasing steam.
As the train started inching forward she wanted to throw herself on Georg to plead with him to come with them. Her fingers were clawing at the door handle. But as if in a terrible nightmare she couldn't open it. Her secret hopes for a last minute miracle withered and died.
Georg was waving and blowing kisses to the children who were shouting happily from the windows ahead, though his eyes were tortured when they met hers. He reached up to the glass of the door where she stood and pressed his fingers to it. Her palm pressed from the other side of the glass, desperate to keep that connection. He kept walking to keep up, but the train gathered pace and he was left behind.
Then came the hideous, harsh sound of the train's horn, discordant and intolerably loud, sounding like a giant fist smashing down on piano keys and not letting up. Maria pressed her forehead against the glass, shock kept her in a daze. It felt as if a part of her was dying.
ooooOOOOoooo
A/N Sorry to end on that bleak note. Thank you for reading and I would love to know your thoughts.
There is a gorgeous version of 'Time to Say Goodbye' by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
*Chancellor von Schuschnigg's speech a few weeks before the Anschluss
**Seysse-Inquart was tried and executed for Crimes against Humanity in 1946.
Stay safe and keep strong, everyone. xx