The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (latest ebook reader txt) 📗

from the rest of the group. NeitherManfred nor Erich, as the eldest at seventeen, participated.

‘What is your name?’ askedManfred of the fourteen-year old boy who had stepped forward. He was obviouslynew.

‘Heinrich Mayer,’ responded theboy. Manfred shook his hand. The boy could barely be described so. He was astall as Manfred and equally well made.

‘Congratulations, Heinrich, andwelcome to our group.’

‘Thank you, sir,’ repliedHeinrich.

It was the first time anyonehad called him sir. To the rest of the boys in the group he was just Manfred orManny. He liked the sound of it.

The three boys who had fallenshortest in the competition were delegated to go and collect the clubs, whilethe rest of the boys sang songs. When the three boys returned, Manfred shouted,‘Right, boys, last one back to the hall is a rotten egg.’

Cheers greeted this order andthe boys tore off in the direction of the town. It was two miles away.

-

The meeting broke up an hour laterand the boys went their separate ways. Manfred joined Heinrich as they wereheading the same direction. The two boys chatted amiably, white vapour comingfrom their mouths, cloaking their faces. They trudged through the snow, bothwearing their Hitler Youth uniforms, both saluting young boys who saw them.

‘That was an impressive throwback there. You’veobviously had practice,’ observed Manfred.

‘Yes,’ replied Heinrich, ‘I wasa member of a Hitler Youth group in Dortmund before we moved here.’

‘I imagine that was a biggergroup,’ laughed Manfred, ‘We’re probably a bit small for you.’

Heinrich shook his head, ‘No, Ilike it here. It’s very friendly. But yes, the other group was very large, andI certainly was nowhere near being the best at throwing. There were some verybig boys in that group.’

‘What does your father do?’asked Manfred.

‘He works for the government,’answered Heinrich, after a moment of hesitation.

Manfred noted the hesitationand did not ask anything more on the topic. Instead, he responded by sayingthat his father was the head of police. Heinrich looked at him and nodded.There was something in the look that was unaccountable to Manfred. It wasalmost as if Heinrich knew this. Any further thought of this was ended whenthey arrived at his new friend’s house. It was the same house once occupied by ProfessorKahn. Heinrich saw the look of recognition when as they slowed down.

‘You knew the previous owner?’asked Heinrich.

Manfred was about to say yeswhen he changed his mind, replying instead, ‘I was passing a few days ago whenI saw the lorry outside and the people moving furniture. I didn’t realise itwas you.’

The door to the house openedand a man in his early fifties stepped out. He was taller than Heinrich andvery lean. His suit was clearly expensive, and he held himself with theconfidence of authority. He smiled when he saw Heinrich.

‘You’ve finished.’

‘Yes, Father, this is Manfred.He’s the group leader.’

‘Hello, Herr Mayer,’ saidManfred.

‘’Hello, Manfred.’ He appraisedManfred for a moment and appeared to like what he saw. Manfred held the eye ofthe older man. They were of a similar height. The handshake was firm.

‘Are you still at school, youngman?’

‘Yes, Herr Mayer, but I finishthis summer.’

‘What will you do then?’

Manfred hesitated a momentbefore saying, ‘My father and mother would like me to attend the university inHeidelberg.’

The older man looked at himshrewdly and then said, ‘I sense this is not your wish.’

‘I wish only to please myfamily and make them proud,’ replied Manfred.

Mayer nodded, ‘Good answer,young man. It is the duty of every son and daughter to make their family proudof them. I think you will.’

‘Thank you, Herr Mayer.’

Manfred left them at this pointand went back towards his house. He didn’t see from the upstairs window a facelooking down and following him until he was out of sight.

 4

September 1939

 

Manfredsat in the dining room of the Mayer family. The only sound was the clink ofcutlery on porcelain. It felt so much like his ownhome. The room was decorated sparsely. Heavy oak furniture supporting two largesilver candelabra were about as far as the family stretched for ornamentation. Therewas a large picture; the only one in the room. It was of the Führer. This was,perhaps, the only difference noted by Manfred from his own house. The familyalso had a maid. Marita had been with the family for years according to Mayer. Centuriesmore like, thought Manfred.

Manfred had become a frequentguest in the house over recent months as his friendship with Heinrich grew.Mayer was happy that his son had developed a group of friends that he approvedof and encouraged Manfred in particular. There was something of the mentor inManfred which he quickly recognised. The arrangement suited Manfred as well. Itgave him a chance to get to know Heinrich’s sister Anja. With something approachingjoy, he noted the arrangement seemed to be welcomed by Anja , too. Although shewas fifteen, the age gap was immaterial. Manfred was prepared to play a longergame.

The conversation around thetable inevitably turned to the one topic upper-most in the minds of everyfamily in the country.

‘They will declare war. BothFrance and Britain. They have to, or they are even more dissolute than Ithought,’ declared Mayer as coffee was served.

Frau Mayer and Anja looked atone another unhappily. Manfred noticed this and decided against becoming tooardent in favour of such an event. Fortunately, Heinrich was eager to declarehis readiness.

‘I hope they do. We’ll showthem. They couldn’t beat us last time, they won’t this.’

This seemed to please hisfather, who smiled indulgently. Mayer turned to Manfred and asked, ‘What do youthink, young man?’

Manfred thought for a momentand said, ‘I hope they will see sense. The Führer does not seek war. He just wantswhat is rightfully ours.’ He looked Mayer in the eyes as he said this. Theolder man nodded but it was difficult to read if this was in approval. Manfred continued, ‘Warwill demand a high price of our country. I do not underestimate our enemies ortheir determination. But they shouldn’t make the mistake of underestimating us.If the time comes for war, they will find us ready. I will be ready.’

Throughout, Manfred’s voice wassoft, steady. Unlike Heinrich, there was neither stridency nor certainty as hespoke, just a quiet determination. When he finished, he