A Feather on the Water(105)

“I can understand that. But listen to me: you’re a fit, healthy woman. I’ve never known you to have a day’s illness, the whole time we’ve been here. Just remember that—and try not to worry.”

Martha gave her a wan smile. She so wanted to believe what Delphine had implied: that her good health was likely to mean a successful pregnancy. But it wasn’t going to stop her from worrying. Because somewhere deep inside, she didn’t feel she deserved this undreamed-of happiness.





CHAPTER 35


On a cold, crisp day in October, the Fürstenfeldbruck train reached its final destination. It had been a long time since Martha had smelled sea air. As she stepped onto the platform at Bremen, gulls wheeled overhead. In the distance she could see the funnels of enormous ships anchored in the docks.

Delphine was in the next carriage with her group of orphans. Martha caught a glimpse of Wolf, so tall now, jumping down from the train and catching one of the smaller children in his arms. Delphine followed. She wagged her finger at Wolf, but Martha could see that she was smiling as she looked up at him.

“Mama? Are we there now?” Halina, who had been asleep for the last part of the journey, was standing beside her.

“Yes, darling.” Martha would have held her up to see the ships, but Delphine had warned her against lifting anything.

“Papa says when we get to America, we can have ice cream. Is that America?” She pointed to the ticket office at the far end of the platform.

“We’re not there yet.” Martha ruffled Halina’s dark curls. “We have to go on the ship first. It’ll be so exciting: you and Lubya will have special beds with a ladder to climb up.”

Stefan appeared in the doorway, a suitcase in each hand, with Lubya peeping out behind him. Without thinking, Martha reached up to take the luggage from him. He smiled, shaking his head. “You go and say goodbye to Delphine,” he said.

Martha had known there wouldn’t be much time once they arrived at the port. After they got through the ticket barrier, they were unlikely to see each other again. They had said their goodbyes at the camp, at a farewell dinner made from the random selection of canned food remaining in the warehouse.

Delphine looked around as Martha touched her shoulder. The smile didn’t leave her face, but the muscles around her mouth tightened. “This is it, then.” She held out her arms for one last hug.

“You’ll write to me, won’t you?” Martha felt her throat swell as tears filled her eyes.

“Of course.” Delphine’s words were muffled by the collar of Martha’s coat. “And I want you to promise to let me know the moment that baby is born.”

“I promise.”

They broke away as a whistle blew farther along the platform. A man was holding up a cardboard sign with “New Zealand” scrawled across it.

“That’s us.” Wolf tugged at Delphine’s sleeve. “We better get these kids moving.”

Through a blur of tears, Martha watched them walk away. Wolf and Agata and Pawel, still children themselves, but looking so grown up as they helped Delphine shepherd the group of little ones to the ship that would take them to their new lives.

“Mama! Hurry up!” two voices called out in unison. Lubya and Halina ran up to her, each grabbing her hand.

“I’m coming.” She bent to kiss them both. When she looked up, Delphine had gone.





CHAPTER 36


On a bright New Zealand morning in March, Delphine kissed each of her children as they made for the door. Wolf was now almost a foot taller than she was. He and Agata and Pawel were beginning to develop Kiwi accents. It made her smile to see them with their school friends, speaking English as if they’d known it all their lives.

A few minutes after they’d gone, the mail arrived. Delphine’s heart skipped a beat when she caught sight of an airmail envelope with a row of red US postage stamps. She tore open the flap and pulled out the thin sheets of paper.

Dear Delphine,

We have a new daughter! She cleverly arrived on Stefan’s birthday, March 2, and weighed 6 lb. 10 oz. Her name is Joanna—chosen by Lubya and Halina in honor of their favorite nun at the convent in Poland.

Kitty came to visit me in the hospital. Her parents have just arrived in New York after a long journey via San Francisco. They weren’t allowed to go anywhere when they got off the boat; they were put on a sealed train that brought them all the way to Ellis Island. Stefan was there when they arrived—he has a job at the embarkation center now—and he told me all about it. I wish I could have been there to see their faces.

Kitty has found an apartment for them in Queens, not far from where she and Charlie are living. She’s loving the art course at Columbia. Did I tell you she was awarded a scholarship? It means that she and Charlie don’t have to worry too much about money. It’s wonderful to see her so happy.

I was so pleased to hear that your three are all settling into their new school. I wouldn’t be surprised if Agata and Pawel followed Wolf’s plan to go to medical school. You must be so proud of them.

I have one more bit of news to tell you before the nurse brings Joanna back for her next feeding: I managed to find Arnie. He’d moved from the apartment listed in the telephone directory—within days of Kitty calling him—which explained why I never got a reply to my letters. The amazing thing is that he has recently become a father, and it has made him turn his life around. He’s as eager as I am for a divorce. So, Stefan and I are planning a summer wedding. The girls can’t wait to be bridesmaids . . .