Free Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French Page A

her, as though he had just remembered she was there. ‘You let me know if there is anything you need,’ he instructed her, though he didn’t tell her how. ‘And you listen to Fräulein Gelber. She can be trusted. But you must always be on your guard.’
    ‘Yes, Duffi,’ said Heidi, for the last time.
    ‘I have to go,’ said the Führer. ‘There is so much to do and they will be waiting for me,’ and Heidi knew then that he hadn’t come all this way just to see her.
    He kissed her cheek again. She slid along the seat, and out the door and walked back to the other car.
    The engine of the Führer’s car muttered. The car pulled out onto the road. Heidi watched it as it passed. She lifted her hand to wave, but it was too dark to see if the Führer waved back.
    ‘You are lucky,’ said Fräulein Gelber, as their car slid back down the lane to home. ‘With all his other concerns, the Führer still stopped to visit you!’
    It was obvious she was bitterly disappointed at not seeing the Führer too, but she was trying to hide it for Heidi’s sake.
    For a moment I existed, Heidi thought. But she didn’t say the words aloud.

chapter fifteen
Ben Returns
    ‘Ben’s here already,’ said Mum, as the car drove up to the bus shelter next morning.
    ‘His cold must be better,’ said Mark.
    Mum nodded. ‘Mind you keep warm,’ she said, as though the mention of Ben’s cold had reminded her. ‘There are so many bugs going around. And keep your jacket on at lunchtime.’
    ‘Yes, Mum,’ promised Mark.
    ‘And try not to get your feet wet.’
    ‘Mum!’ protested Mark. He got out of the car slowly. Blast Ben. Why couldn’t he have stayed home just another couple of days?
    ‘Hi,’ said Ben, blowing on his hands to warm them. ‘I saw your car from our place, coming down the road, so I raced over here. You’re early, aren’t you?’
    ‘Suppose so,’ said Mark. ‘How are you feeling?’
    ‘Fine. Mum was just stressing out, that was all. Anything happen while I was sick?’
    ‘Not much. Basketball practice was cancelled because of the rain. And old Haskett says we can’t have our lunches in the hall if we keep making so much noise.’
    ‘Where else would we eat then? Out in the wet?’
    ‘Dunno. Here’s Anna.’ He watched the car drive up and Anna and Little Tracey climb out.
    ‘My Auntie Flossy’s coming down this weekend,’ announced Little Tracey, bouncing into the shelter and splattering them both with raindrops as she unbuttoned her raincoat.
    ‘Good for your Aunt Flossy,’ said Ben, wiping his nose with his sleeve. He glanced at his watch. ‘Everyone’s early this morning,’ he remarked.
    ‘That’s because Anna’s telling us the story,’ said Little Tracey.
    Ben stared. ‘You’re still playing The Game?’
    Anna nodded.
    ‘Crikey. It must be a long story.’
    Little Tracey nodded. ‘Come on, Anna!’
    ‘Have there been any good bits?’ demanded Ben.
    Anna stared at him. ‘What do you mean, good bits?’
    ‘You know—battles and stuff like that.’
    Anna didn’t reply.
    ‘There’ve been some bombs,’ said Mark, then wished he hadn’t. It sounded stupid, and both Ben and Anna looked at him like he was dumb.
    ‘Doesn’t sound like I’ve missed much,’ said Ben, sitting back. He folded his arms, tucking his hands in to keep them warm.
    Anna was still for a moment, then began to speak.

chapter sixteen
Berlin
    Fräulein Gelber came at night. She wore the coat that smelt of foxes, not her dressing-gown. ‘Heidi! Come on, wake up!’
    ‘What is it?’
    ‘A car has come for us. You must get up now. We have to make a journey.’
    ‘To see my father?’ It was the first time she had called him that. What with the dark and sleepiness she had forgotten to call him Duffi.
    ‘Perhaps. Yes. I don’t know. Come on, hurry. Schnell!’
    Heidi swung her legs out of the bed. ‘To Berlin?’
    Fräulein Gelber nodded. ‘The car is waiting. Dress warmly. I will pack your bag.’
    ‘Are the