فصل 95

joana

Emilia pretended to sleep. I had to raise her spirits. The baby would need to nurse. She had to hold and feed her baby. If she didn’t, the doctors might become suspicious. If they figured out she wasn’t Latvian, Dr. Richter would report her. I would be held responsible for smuggling her on. My stomach turned.

A woman approached. “Excuse me, miss. There’s someone in the hallway who would like to speak with you.”

The sailor Alfred paced through the corridor.

“Hello, Alfred.” I decided to ask: “Have you seen my patient today, the one from the movie house?”

“No, I haven’t. But I’ll keep an eye out for him,” he said.

“Please let me know if you see him.”

He shifted from one foot to another, rubbing the tangle of raw meat that was his hands.

“Oh, Alfred, your hands,” I said.

“Actually, I didn’t come about my hands. I came—well, what I wanted to say . . . I have been informed that you have a suitor, but I’m well acquainted with the long-distance love affair. You would do well to take a stroll with me on the promenade deck later this evening. We can discuss our sweethearts back at home.” He grinned. “Tell me, do you like butterflies, Fr?ulein?”

What was he talking about? Was he asking me on a date? Oh, no. Kissing Alfred would be like chewing a mouthful of crackers. I shook off the thought.

“Well, Alfred, I think we’ll all be extremely busy before we sail. I don’t think I’ll have time to take a walk. Honestly, I’d be surprised if you had time either.”

Dr. Richter approached. “Joana, could you assist me, please? The girls have just arrived from the sanatorium. We need to determine where to put them. Perhaps you could help them get settled?” The doctor looked at Alfred. “What are you doing here?”

“Documenting the medical procedures of the evacuation, sir,” said Alfred. “Someone must verify that work is actually being done.” He turned on his heel and strode off.