Thanks so much for all your kind words I'm so happy you're enjoying it! xxx
More weeks of living in a war zone had passed. Three people in Himmel Street had died from fever and starvation, six men had been drafted for war, there was an air raid almost every other night and Liesel had lost her job altogether. She knew it was because the mayor hated her papa for not joining the party, calling him a Jew sympathiser and she's convinced it was him who got papa sent to war. Everyone was penniless and barely surviving but somehow they were still alive.
Max had to hide in the basement permanently as guards were patrolling the streets regularly. The fear in everyone grew and life got so much harder.
"How am I to get money, mama? Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." Liesel and Rosa were sat at the kitchen table sharing a slice of bread, the last bit of food that remained.
"There is nothing, child. No one will hire you as they can't afford to. All we can do is get our rations and get by." And pray that papa comes home, Liesel thought. Maybe then he could bring some money in with his accordion, but Liesel couldn't think that far ahead yet.
"What if I move out? I can go to find work further out and send money home." Rosa dropped her bread and swore.
"You are not leaving me, Liesel. You are not leaving that boy down there and you are not leaving your father, some day he will return and you will be here for that day." Liesel was startled at her outburst, but of course Rosa was right. How could she leave any of them behind? How could she leave her frightened, strong-willed mother who she owed everything to? And how could she leave Max who was also frightened and barely surviving? They were too close now. It would break both their hearts. She couldn't go, it was as simple as that. She would never forgive herself.
Liesel felt like crying. She hated seeing her mother with no hope, if only papa were here to play the accordion and poke fun at her. She gave her the rest of her food to which she declined, but Liesel insisted and saw her mother's hard exterior melt. She almost thought her eyes watered, almost.
Down in the basement Max was lying on his new makeshift bed. He didn't hate it, he couldn't, it was keeping him alive being in this house. But he did hate being away from Liesel, both of them loathed the loneliness at night. So that's why Liesel found herself staying as late as possible down there with him, sometimes even falling asleep with her head resting on his chest as he whispered imaginative stories to her, completely in secret to Rosa – well, so they thought.
Rosa knew every happening in her house and she knew very well that Liesel and Max were growing closer by the day. She was joyed to see them happy together but it also broke her heart knowing that any day Max could be taken away and them with him.
Max sat up when Liesel approached, he always got butterflies in his stomach when he saw her, her flowing blonde hair swung around her shoulders as she sat next to him, he was dying to run his fingers through it.
Liesel wrapped her hand through his strong, muscular arm which he welcomed. Max had tried to maintain his health and physique by exercising around the basement. It also kept his mind busy when he began to worry over things.
"What am I to do, Max? I think mama is at breaking point."
"Is money really that tight?"
"Try non-existent. I have a little left from my savings, it will feed us all for a week if we're lucky. I might just go back and plead for my job."
"There's no harm in trying."
"I wish we could just walk out of here and go somewhere. Do something normal."
"I wish for that too. For now, how about we just dream it?" Liesel smiled at him, they often shared their visions of a perfect world. She closed her eyes and listened to his soft voice.
"After our champagne and strawberry breakfast we'll pack a basket and take a walk to the beach." Liesel giggled as she only told him yesterday how she had never tried champagne before.
"We'll stay there all day, swimming, building sand castles, taking photos, making images out of the clouds… and then around mid-afternoon we'll stroll back under the summer evening sun that is still warm on our skin and find a meadow where we can lie in. Then, we'll stare at the bare blue sky and laugh about the day we've had, you will make daisy chains and I will read us a poems. After, when the sun is setting and the stars are beginning to show in the velvet nightfall finally we will be back home and have tea on the patio followed by some slow dancing."
Liesel's heart soared at Max's imaginary day he planned for them. She always wanted to go to the beach, she had never been. There was a lot of things she had never done but that couldn't have been helped.
"That sounds beautiful. You really mean it?" Of course he meant it, in his heart. However there was no possibility of it ever happening, it was just a dream that got him through the lonely nights.
"I think of it every night. Of us, being in that perfect world, a world free of Hitler. A world where we can walk in the daylight without worries."
"Us?" The word echoed in the silence, lingering on Liesel's lips. "Our own place?"
"Yes. Me and you, together." Max nervously swallowed as he realised he was revealing something to her that he hadn't even admitted to himself yet.
"If you would like it." He added. He saw her eyes twinkle and her small dimples crease as she began to smile. Liesel reached her hand to hold his, their clasp tightened and he softly caressed her with his thumb, not knowing he was sending electric currents right through her body.
In that moment it was as if everything was frozen. Neither of them moved, not even breathed as they locked eyes. Then, with a burst of desire Liesel pushed her body forward and pressed her lips on to Max's.
She was met with the same reaction. Soft, warm lips kissing her back with an eager tenderness. He simply couldn't hold back any longer, if it made him selfish then selfish he would be just to kiss her at least once before he died.
Their hands were in each other's hair and their lips were parting and reuniting again and again. Their breaths were short and loud, neither wanting to break the chain of kisses that they were giving. Liesel's back was pressed up against the cold, brick wall as they destroyed any space between them.
Realising how fast things became they slowed down and kissed one last soft caress on to swollen lips, laughing as if they couldn't believe what just happened.
"I've been wanting to do that since the moment I saw you." Max stroked her hair and kissed her again, out of breath.
"Then what took you so long?" Her heart raced frantically in her chest. She was still pinned to the wall as Max held her close, relishing his cool breath on her face.
"I could be found at any moment, Liesel. I could get you in to trouble, I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to be taken from you." Max's face turned to pain at the thought of having to leave Liesel or getting her sent away.
"No, Max. That's not going to happen. No one has any idea you're here and they will never know. We are safe." Max's eyes fluttered shut and his jaw clenched, he would not go without a fight that's for sure.
"I hope you're right. I really hope you're right." Liesel pulled his head to rest on her chest as she smoothed his feathery black hair. Her lips were still tingling, her heart pounding and her skin was on fire.
If anything, the kiss gave her the motivation she needed to save her family. Tomorrow, Liesel would go to the mayor's house and beg for work. She would dress in her best white shirt and blue skirt topped with a black blazer and pin her hair back in to a neat bun.
Tomorrow arrived quickly and Liesel was out the door by seven o'clock. She had rushed around her room tripping over shoes and books that cluttered the floor as she tried to dress in the dark, gloomy morning. She skipped breakfast – not that she really had a choice - and quickly ran down to the basement to leave a note for Max. He was sleeping peacefully for a change. He was curled up under three thick blankets with his head propped upon a small pillow.
He had fallen asleep against Liesel last night and didn't stir when she rested him down to tuck him in.
Smiling, she placed the note that read - 'Gone to try my luck at begging. I'll miss you, Liesel.' Next to his pillow and kissed his warm cheek ever so delicately.
As she made her way to the mayor's house she was passed by Fritz Goldenhann, the devious Nazi who took what he wanted. Though, didn't they all?
"Good morning, Liesel? Where are you headed to so early?" Was that a dig that she no longer had a job?
"Oh, nowhere in particular. Just going to see a friend." His cold eyes scanned her body and she pulled her arms across her front in defence.
"If you ever need to get out of Molching for a couple of hours be sure to let me know. I'd be more than happy to escort a pretty thing like yourself away from the miseries of war." Fritz took a step closer to her and Liesel took one back. She didn't want to give him any ideas.
"No, thank you, Herr Goldenhann. I'm very much happy here at home. I must get on now." Liesel marched off and left Fritz who watched her turn around the corner. The last thing she needed was a Nazi soldier taking a fancy to her.
At the mayor's house Liesel stood still, analysing the paint work of the front door that her papa had done many years ago. She felt a surge of emotion at the thought of papa but it only made her more ambitious.
She knocked six times with the heavy, iron knocker and waited, taking a deep breath and adjusting her clothes.
The door opened to reveal a petite figure with grey hair, a frail hand holding her dressing gown tightly to her neck. It was Isla. She seemed to have aged more since the last time Liesel saw her all those weeks ago.
"Frau Hermann." Liesel began. "Frau Hermann, I know this is incredibly bold of me but I have to at least try, I have to try for my family. We are in a war and I know there is little money around but with papa being gone we are struggling. I have to ask if there is any work available for me. Any at all, no matter how silly or small the job is I will do it." Liesel didn't have a speech prepared but she thought she done alright.
Frau Hermann shifted from the door. Liesel, thinking she was going to close it stepped forward and reached out her hand to stop it, but Isla was opening it wider.
"Come in." Her quiet voice just reached Liesel's ears as she welcomed her in to her home. She stepped inside and looked around, there was no sign of the mayor in his office, gladly.
Isla led her in to the library which was her favourite place in Molching – apart from Max's side. The place still smelled the wonderful smell of books and was still icy cold with the window open as Isla had seemingly liked it.
"I'm so happy that you came, Liesel."
"You are?" Isla sat on the divan next to a wall of brightly coloured books. She offered Liesel a seat in the leather arm chair opposite her.
"Yes, things are changing around here, well, they will be at least. For me."
"I'm sorry I don't know what you mean." Isla smiled the smallest of smiles that Liesel wasn't sure she even did it.
"My husband and I are leaving Molching soon, he has been asked to work closer in command with Hitler himself." Liesel's hand dug in to the leather cushion she was sat upon at the mention on Hitler's name.
"Wow. That's great news I'm really happy for you. But what does that have to do with me?"
"Well you want work and you know this house just as good as I do, I want you to help pack everything. I don't seem to have the energy myself and my husband is always too busy. He wanted to leave everything behind and start fresh, but there's too many memories to just throw away." Isla's eyes drifted to a photo of a small boy on the low table by her side. Liesel guessed it was her son but she had never talked of him once.
"I accept. When do you want me to start?" Liesel hoped right away as she desperately wanted to take food home tonight.
"I see you're eager so why not right now? There are boxes in the shed outside, start in here with the books." Liesel got to work right away, carrying a stack of folded boxes in to the library and packed each book with delicate care.
During the time she had worked there and visited as a child Liesel had read at least a whole wall of books. She was determined to finish the room by five o'clock, just before the shops shut and show Isla how good a worker she is. However, there was still one stand of books left.
Half way through Isla entered the room holding a tray of food. She set it on the table and told Liesel to stop what she were doing.
"Come eat." Liesel looked at the lavish plate of steak, gravy, peas and bread, her mouth watering as the scent reached her nose.
"Frau Hermann, this is too much." Especially when there were people dying in her street, how could people live like this and not help those who needed it?
"Please, eat it Liesel, you deserve it. And here's your pay for the day. I'll pay you every day until you're done, feel free to take your time." Liesel took the brown envelope and slipped it in her pocket, not even wanting to see how much she gave her. Why is she giving me so much? Liesel thought.
Without another word Liesel sat and tucked in to her dinner. She didn't stop to chew or notice her mouth burning as she ate like a savage. She couldn't remember the last time she ate something that wasn't soup or hard crust.
When finished, she offered to clean the dishes but Isla insisted not to and told her to head home for the day. She guessed the mayor was due home and this would go unaware to him.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Liesel." They walked to the door in silence, Isla was smiling more than Liesel had ever seen.
"Thank you Frau Hermann. Good night." Liesel was in a daze, she simply didn't understand why Isla was treating her so well. Was it because she felt guilty? Did she finally have pity on the starving girl and her poor family? Whatever the reason Liesel had no time to dwell on it as she raced to the shops to get food in time.
As Liesel walked home in the darkness, holding a basket of eggs, bread, bacon and some mixed fruit and vegetables she couldn't keep the grin off her face. Frau Hermann had paid her way more than what packing a few books was worth, Liesel was now certain she had definitely felt bad about letting her go hungry all this time. That, or she didn't like money.
She opened the spit-stained door to feel the same coldness as outside. She made a mental note to go get some wood or coal tomorrow.
"Mama?" She called out. Rosa came from her bedroom and startled to see Liesel with so much food.
"What on earth do you have there? Have you been stealing again? Saukrel!" Liesel hasn't stole since she was eleven years old and it was only a few apples and a books.
"Mama, I've been working all day up at the mayor's house. I got paid good money." She placed the basket on the table, proud of her achievement. She also placed the brown envelope before Rosa, waiting for her reaction. Rosa snatched the envelope and searched it, almost stumbling in to Liesel.
"This is ridiculous, how could you get all that in one day? What have you been doing?" Rosa inspected the food, trying to keep a stern face as her cheeks began to lift.
"They are leaving town, mama. Frau Hermann asked me to help her pack and I guess she has more money than sense. No more questions mama. I'm going back tomorrow and every day until the last item is packed. Have supper and be happy." She kissed her mama's rough cheek and Rosa watched in disbelief as Liesel took an apple and bread roll down the stairs to Max before letting a smile take over her face and prepared to cook supper. She was so proud of Liesel, though she'd never tell her that.
Down the basement Max was throwing a flaky tennis ball against the wall. His mind had been fuzzy all day between being lost in the memory of his kiss with Leisel and the worry of what she were doing all day. He heard her voice upstairs and waited for her to come down, relieved she was home.
"Max?" He dropped the ball and raced to her, grabbing her waist before her feet touched the last step and spun her around. Her laughter was music to his ears and he set her down.
"You've been gone all day. Successful I take it?"
"Extremely." She pulled her arms from behind her back to give him the food. Max beamed as he took them and tucked in right away. Before he could ask her about her day she dived in to tell him everything.
"It seems too good to be true." Max breathed, satisfied with his evening meal.
"Mmm. Well whatever I'm not saying no to it. Are you still hungry?" Liesel began to get up but Max pulled her back to where they were sitting on his bed.
"I want you to stay a while. I missed you." His hand lifted to stroke her cheek, his eyes focusing on her lips.
"I missed you too. We have all night together now." In the darkness where they sat, they both leant forward until their lips met. It was the most gentle of kisses, lips moving together in perfect harmony and their hands finding their way to waists, necks, hands and cheeks.
They suddenly became more passionate. Max pulled Liesel closer feeling a surge of yearning as her teeth caught his lower lip and pulled. Her hands were in his hair, tugging softly as his hands burned through the bottom of her shirt.
"Liesel come get your supper!" Rosa interrupted the heated exchange of kisses. Liesel cursed at her in her head before jumping off Max and patting down her hair.
Max ran a hand down his face, they were both so flustered. They should have known until Rosa was sleeping they wouldn't get any peace.
Liesel ran up and wished Rosa goodnight before taking supper down for her and Max. They said nothing of their intense moment and ate in silence, exchanging an awkward smile as they placed their empty dishes to the side.
Liesel kicked off her boots, undone her bun and lay back in to Max's welcoming embrace. They both slept soundly that night, breathing in each other's scent and listening to their soft breaths as their own personal lullaby.