Three Sisters (The Tattooist of Auschwitz #3)(5)

Two young men of the Hlinka Guard are standing outside when Chaya opens the door. She shivers. The state police and, more crucially, the foot soldiers of Adolf Hitler, stand before her in their menacing black uniforms. They will not protect her or any Jew in Slovakia.

‘Why, hello, Visik, how are you? And your mother, how is Irene?’ Chaya refuses to show them her fear. She knows why they are here.

‘She’s fine, thank you .?.?.’

The other guard takes a step forward. He is taller, obviously angry and far more threatening than the boy. ‘We are not here to exchange pleasantries. You are Mrs Meller?’

‘You know I am.’ Chaya’s heart is beating in her throat. ‘Now, what can I do for you, boys?’

‘Do not call us boys.’ The older guard practically spits out his words. ‘We are patriotic Hlinka Guards on official business.’

Chaya knows this is rubbish. There is nothing patriotic about them. Trained by the SS, these men have turned on their own people. ‘I am sorry, I meant no disrespect. How can I help you?’ Chaya remains calm, hoping that they can’t see the tremble in her hands.

‘You have daughters?’

‘You know I do.’

‘Are they here?’

‘You mean right now?’

‘Mrs Meller, please tell us if they are living with you, right now.’

‘Livi, my youngest, lives here at the moment.’

‘Where are the others?’ The second guard takes another step.

‘Magda is in hospital. She is very ill and I don’t know when she will be coming home, and Cibi .?.?. well, Visik, you know what Cibi is doing and why she is not here.’

‘Please, Mrs Meller, please stop saying my name, you do not know me,’ Visik pleads, embarrassed by her overtures in front of his colleague.

‘Livi, then, is to report to the synagogue at five o’clock on Friday.’ The second guard is peering past Chaya into the house as he speaks. ‘She can bring one bag with her. From there she will be taken to work for the Germans. She must come alone, no one is to accompany her. Do you understand the order I have given you?’

‘I just told you!’ Chaya is suddenly terrified, her eyes burning. ‘You can’t take Livi – she’s only fifteen.’ Chaya reaches out to Visik, imploring him. ‘She is just a child.’

Both men step back, unsure of what Chaya is capable of. The second guard puts his hand on his gun in its holster.

Yitzchak steps forward and pulls Chaya away.

‘You have our orders – your daughter’s name will be on the list of girls to be transported.’

Visik leans in and hisses, ‘It will be worse for her if she doesn’t turn up.’ He puffs up his chest, needing to regain his authority, and tips his chin, laughing triumphantly as he struts back down the path.

Chaya looks at Livi, now folded into her grandfather’s arms. Yitzchak’s pained face fails to hide the anger and guilt he feels for not being able to protect his youngest granddaughter.

‘It’s all right, Grandfather. Mumma, I can go and work for the Germans. I’m sure it won’t be for long. It’s only work – how hard can it be?’

The room suddenly grows darker. The sunlight that had streamed through the window earlier is now blanketed by dark clouds, just to be seen peeking through the drawn curtains, a clap of thunder shakes the house, and in a moment heavy rain begins to thud onto the roof.

Chaya looks at Livi, her little warrior, her blue eyes and bouncing curls belying her determination. Livi holds her mother’s gaze, but it is Chaya who turns away, clutching the front of her dress in her hands, a sign, her sign, that she is crumbling inside, the physical pain in her chest an acknowledgement of her powerlessness.

There are no words. As Chaya walks to her room, she reaches out and touches Livi’s arm, her eyes downcast. Livi and Yitzchak hear the bedroom door close.

‘Should I .?.?. ?’

‘No, Livi, let her be. She will come out when she’s ready.’





CHAPTER 4

Vranov nad Topl’ou

March 1942

‘W

hat are you doing, Livi? Please take those candles away from the window.’

Wiping her floury hands on her apron, Chaya advances on Livi. Why does she insist on hovering in the window? It has been two days since the Hlinka Guard told her she must relinquish her youngest daughter. They have just tonight together under the same roof. Closing her eyes, Chaya chastises herself. Why did she have to scold her? Why has she spent the last couple of days in virtual silence, self-absorbed and brooding, when she should have spent these precious hours talking to Livi, loving Livi.

‘No, Mumma, I must leave them in the window. I’m lighting the way home for Cibi.’

‘But you know we’re not allowed .?.?.’

‘I don’t care! What can they do, take me away? They are already doing that tomorrow! If this is to be my last night in my own home for a while, I want candles in the window.’

During this exchange, Cibi has approached the house, unseen by mother and sister. She bursts in through the front door now, calling: ‘Kitten, where are you?’

Livi squeals with delight and flies into Cibi’s arms. Chaya is fighting and failing to hold back her tears.

‘Did I hear the gentle tread of my eldest granddaughter entering the house?’ Yitzchak says, with his characteristic warmth and humour.