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Reich Labor Service, the RAD. Anna works at the KaDeWe department store.”
    “In the food court,” said Anna.
    “What do you do in the Labor Service, Max?”
    “My job is to make arrangements with the railway company to move workers from building site to building site, wherever they’re needed around the Reich.”
    “By workers you mean…?”
    “Forced labor from the labor camps, mainly, and some engineers. There are big developments going on all over Germany, you know.”
    “How do you feel about your work?”
    Max shrugged. “It’s a job. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming…”
    “Overwhelming in what way?”
    He reached for Anna’s hand. “I have to work extra hours sometimes, when we have to move large numbers of workers around the country.”
    “How do you feel about moving workers from one end of the country to the other against their will.”
    This was the same as Madam Krauss’s line of questioning. It was political dynamite. The Party line was clear. These workers were all criminals or undesirables of one sort or another. They had forfeited their right to choose by their anti-government infractions. His personal feelings on the matter were entirely another matter. In fact it could be argued that German citizens no longer had the freedom for personal opinions. Since the Enabling Act of 1933, the Reichstag was a single party assembly. All opposition had been outlawed. How did that leave any leeway for independent thought?
    Greta’s use of the term ‘against their will’ clearly suggested a dissenting point of view, but was she to be trusted? It could be an elaborate trap.
    Max steered a middle course. “Whenever I think about it, I have to feel sorry for those unfortunate people, but I try not to dwell on it. I hope to minimize their discomfort by doing my job as well as I can.”
    “How does that help?”
    “By reducing unnecessary delays between train journeys, scheduling water stops – that sort of thing.”
    “So you have some sympathy for those unfortunate souls?”
    There it was again – the nonconformist note.
    “Yes, I suppose you could say that.”
    Greta smiled at him warmly. “You sound to me like a thoughtful, caring individual. Your sympathetic feelings toward those workers do you much credit.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Madam Krauss said you have no love for the Nazi Party. Is that right?”
    There it was again. These people had some sort of subversive agenda – no doubt about it. Max had no love for the Führer or the Party, but he had no intention of getting involved in subversion.
    “That is correct.” Given the effect that the Nuremberg Laws were having on their lives, it could be no surprise that he felt that way.
    Anna squeezed Max’s hand. “What does all this have to do with our marriage application, Frau Greta? Has anything been done about that?”
    “Yes, Anna, your papers are in the hands of the right people.”
    “What people are those?”
    “They are the people – friends of mine – who have the power to help.”
    Anna’s face was turning red, her eyes blazing. Max pulled his hand from Anna’s and stood up. “Where are our manners? We should offer our visitor a drink. We have Schnapps.”
    Greta waved an arm. “No thank you. I must get home.”
    Anna leapt to her feet. “How long will all this take? It’s been two whole month since we gave our Ariernachweise to Madam Krauss.”
    “These things cannot be rushed, Anna. It could take several more weeks.”
    “Several weeks!”
    “Or months, even. You must be patient.”
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 12
     
    August 1938
     
     
    Twice each week without fail, Greta visited the Rosen family. She brought them food for their larder, newspapers and library books and reading material for young Sophie. It was clear that they never left their apartment. As a Jew, Sophie was excluded from attending school. Matilde did her best to provide her with an education. Greta helped by bringing reading trainers for