I found Mutti in her bedroom, her best furniture and Turkish rugs crammed into the room. She was lying on her bed, pale and quivering, her cheeks marked by tears.

‘Mutti. What’s going on? Why are all these people here?’

‘The city has requisitioned our apartment,’ she said. ‘We now have the use of only two rooms and we were lucky to get that. The rest have been given to families who have lost their homes in the bombings.’ She looked up at me then, anguish clouding her eyes. ‘I don’t mind helping those poor souls who have lost everything but I was given no choice in the matter.’

‘Does Vati know?’

‘I was handed an official order.’ She gestured to the paper on her nightstand. ‘They tell me that Vati approved this but he’s not here, is he? Then these families arrived to take over my home.’ Mutti sat on the edge of the bed and started to cry again, shaking her head. ‘I couldn’t do a thing about it. Herr Schmitt helped me move my best pieces of furniture in here, the artworks and my silver and crystal, but the rest will be ruined. There are already big scratches on the parquetry floors from where they’ve pushed furniture out of the way.’

A sudden spear of panic shot through me, making my throat close. ‘The photos? The ones of the boys?’

‘Yes, I got all the photos. They were the first things I thought of and the last portraits you took of Ludwig and Willi are still safe in the suitcase.’

I sighed with relief. ‘Thank you, Mutti.’ I squeezed her hand. ‘Where’s Herr Schmitt? What will he do?’

‘He’s gone to buy new locks for me. He said he’ll move in with his sister, but he’s promised to come whenever we need help. I can’t go anywhere for peace except in here. Even the kitchen I have to share, and some of our rations have disappeared. We’ll have to keep everything in here.’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ I said, not able to believe how thoughtlessly this had been handled. If only Mutti had been given more time to make appropriate arrangements. I slumped to the bed next to her and picked up the order. ‘I can’t understand why Vati would agree to this. Why didn’t he tell us?’

‘I can’t even contact him – the telephone lines are down. I’m not sure when he will be coming home.’

‘Vati will be home in a few more days, but don’t worry, I’ll find out what’s going on.’ I wrapped my arms around her. My father had managed to contact me a few days earlier to make sure we were safe after the spate of bombings but hadn’t said anything about the apartment.

Later, when Mutti had calmed down a little, I tried to get in touch with Vati. I couldn’t get through to him but I managed to speak to his office, and was told that Wehrmacht officers were now expected to open their homes to the bombing victims – the emergency accommodation in and around the city was full and unable to cope with the number of evacuees. The Wehrmacht had to set a good example and each officer had to provide as many rooms as possible, at least until further housing had been built or could be made accessible. Those who were prepared to stay within München were now being directed by municipal officials to the homes where rooms were available.

I discovered that people were being pressured all over the city to give up their rooms to cope with the burden of homeless on the city. Heinrich called by and he was horrified by our situation. He couldn’t understand why we didn’t complain that we needed more space or use our connections to retain a more genteel living arrangement. His parents had ‘voluntarily’ offered a few rooms in their home. They were not happy about it, sharing their home with ‘commoners’, as he called them. At least they were able to choose what rooms to keep and how many – this time – and they were able to retain their privacy by sectioning off their area. I knew complaining would make no difference and these people deserved a roof over their heads. We would just have to manage until more housing became obtainable. Surely it wouldn’t be for that long?

I made appointments to discuss our situation with the appropriate party and municipal officials in order to fully understand our obligations to our new tenants. I spent hours in a queue waiting to be informed that my parents would be compensated for the use of our home, with rent payable for each room in use, cooking facilities and heating costs. I was assured that, under the Evacuee Family Support program, each of the families was more than adequately subsidised to meet their needs and altered living circumstances without impinging on our family any further. I filled in the forms to register our claim.

Mutti wasn’t up to it, so I met with the new residents in the foyer, standing on the bottom step of the staircase. They stared at me warily, exhaustion lining their faces, ignoring children that pulled at their clothes. I would have to tread carefully if I was going to make this situation work. My neck and shoulders were coiled tight.

‘My name is Freulein von Klein. This is my apartment. I’m sorry for the loss that each of you has experienced and I welcome you into our home.’ There was a murmur through the group but nobody stepped forward to speak; only expectant faces were raised to me, waiting to hear what I said next. I kept myself from wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt.

‘I’ve spoken to the officials. The People’s Welfare and the city will be sending beds, additional furniture and household goods to make you all more comfortable.’

Now there were relieved looks and nods. I continued while I was ahead, the strain of responsibility making my stomach roil with nausea.

‘I will set up a roster for the use of the kitchen for each family, including my parents and myself, and designate areas for each family’s kitchenware and food. The only way this will work is if we all stick to the schedule and respect each other’s space and possessions.’ A few dubious faces looked to interject but I kept speaking. ‘I will be inspecting each of the rooms once a week for general cleanliness and damage. If I find any problems, I have been instructed to forward my complaints to the city. Depending on the ruling by the official in charge of disputes, the tenant may risk losing their room. I pray it never comes to that. Any problems or concerns you have about the apartment, please bring to the attention of myself or either of my parents and we will strive to resolve them as quickly as possible.’

Nobody said anything but I could feel the waves of anger and bitterness roll towards me. I felt faint but I smiled, wanting to appease my new neighbours.

‘If there is anything I can help you with, please ask. I believe that if we all respect each other we can live harmoniously under one roof.’ I tried to catch as many eyes as I could but it was too early for trust. Many turned abruptly away, returning to the sanctuary of their room, while others looked at me with indifference. Only one young girl smiled shyly at me before she was pulled away by an older woman. I was left standing on the bottom of the stairs. I took a deep breath. At least it was done. Time would tell if we could all get along.

Each day of these new living arrangements began with my guilt at leaving Mutti behind to manage on her own and keep a wide berth of the residents. With Hilde gone, she reluctantly resumed the responsibilities of shopping and cooking. Herr Schmitt and his sister accompanied her to the market the first couple of times, to show her the best places to go, where to find the freshest produce. But it was going to take some time for Mutti to brush up on her cooking skills and I was glad I had work to keep me busy and that I could eat at the office.

Vati arrived home, shocked to find what had happened in his absence. I was the first to greet him in the privacy of our two little rooms, away from the cold stares of the new residents.

‘Lotte,’ he said, gathering me into his arms. ‘I’m sorry I had to leave you both for so long.’

It felt good to be in the protection of his embrace and I felt myself sag – now I didn’t have to bear sole responsibility for my mother’s safety and the new arrangements of our home.

Vati grasped my shoulders and looked into my face, his hazel eyes misty with emotion. ‘I’m so proud of you.’

‘What do you mean, Vati?’

‘You’ve looked after Mutti and managed the household and all of its new changes on your own, even dealing with the city officials. I know many men who would have gone to pieces at the prospect of having to make arrangements for strangers to live in their home.’

‘It had to be done, and Mutti wasn’t up to it.’

‘I know, my liebchen.’ He kissed me on the forehead. ‘Thank you.’

My mother entered the room. She dropped her string bags full of shopping with a small cry and flung herself into his arms. ‘You were only supposed to be gone a few days.’

‘We couldn’t leave Berlin until the confusion about the Führer had been sorted out.’

‘Do you know what happened exactly, Vati?’ I remembered the day when, during the bombing campaign and our personal horror, Bettina called me over as I arrived at work.

‘Have you heard?’ she’d asked with a look of anticipation. ‘The radio announcement last night?’

‘We didn’t have electricity last night.’

‘There was a news flash announcing the attempted assassination of the Führer.’

‘Is he all right?’ I’d gasped, grabbing her arm. I couldn’t imagine a world without him. What would we do if he was gone?

‘He’s fine.’

I had placed my hand over my heart in relief. ‘Who would do such a thing?’

‘Apparently some of the top Wehrmacht officers.’ Bettina had shaken her head in wonder. ‘There’re no more details yet. We’ll have to wait to learn more, I suppose. There’ll be hell to pay.’