The Girl Under the Olive Tree (41 page)

‘They’re in the Jewish quarter, taking them out of their houses onto the street,’ she cried.

‘Close the shutters and stay indoors. This is none of our business,’ snapped Nikos. Penny could see a straggle of men and women with sleepy children, half dressed, whole families forming queues while soldiers barked orders at them as if they were criminals. She stood silent, watching them being pushed onto trucks. No one had had time to gather much to take with them on their backs. Children were clutching toys and bits of bread while their neighbours, roused by the noise, stood by silent at first, then waving and shouting to their friends as if they were going on a journey,

‘We ought to be doing something,’ Penny muttered, but Stella shook her head.

‘There’re too many of those black sheep with guns. We’ll save our bullets for where we can harm them most.’

‘But I know some of them . . . my friends . . . oh my God, Solomon and Sara! I must go . . .’

‘Athina! Don’t be a fool . . .’

Penny was out of the door, racing down the street, pushing through the crowds. ‘Where are they taking them?’ she asked a woman standing watching.

She shrugged. ‘To prison, where all prisoners go, and good riddance.’

Penny ran on, trying to catch glimpses of Yolanda’s family, but it was hard to see who was who in the half-light. It was then that she looked up and saw Captain Brecht, standing tall, his arms folded, watching his animals behaving like bully boys as if this was some victory parade to be proud of.

There was a confusion of children crying, some separated from their parents, girls crying to friends. ‘Take my books . . . tell Maria I will write when we are settled . . .’ Many voices lost in the flowing river of faces.

The stragglers limped slowly at the back, one of them a woman hobbling on two sticks with as much dignity as she could muster. The soldiers grew impatient, dragging her off her feet. ‘You will have to wait,’ she said.

An old couple found it hard to walk and she saw a soldier kick them as if they were mules. Penny couldn’t help herself: fury propelled her forward. ‘I will help you,’ she whispered. ‘Take my arm.’ It wasn’t Sara and Solomon – that was too much to hope for – but they held onto her arms. ‘We will do this together,’ she smiled. ‘I am Red Cross. We will see you treated well,’ she added, giving the soldier a look of utter contempt. ‘We Greeks know how to treat our old people even if you don’t. Shame on you, show some respect!’

For one second he was taken aback by this rebuke but, not wanting to lose face, he shoved his rifle in her chest. ‘If you love Jews so much, get up there yourself.’

It all happened so fast. One minute she was escorting the old couple to the trucks and then she was shoved on, herself, with no time to protest. All she could think of was how the old lady would get up, she was so crippled, but they threw her up like garbage. Penny was stunned but she held her head up high and stared hard at the officer. She fingered her Red Cross badge pinned on the inside of her pocket. So, Captain, this is all your doing. Someone must be witness to what is happening here, she thought. It looks as if it’s going to have to be me . . .

Rainer supervised the arrests of the civilians like an automaton. The pathetic sight of women and children shoved through the narrow alleys in a funnel to collecting points was sickening. It was their usual efficient, ruthless oppression, no different from other villages where people were roused from their beds, lined up, executed, and their homes destroyed. Why was this act, just one among many, any different? Surely it destroyed the last crumbling hope of any future rapprochement with the Cretan population?

He felt ashamed, all his previous efforts to be merciful thrown into question as he stood by and watched these families going to certain death.

No one protested because the Nazis had perfected a regime of fear and obedience. These people were now too hungry and demoralized to make any fuss, though one girl had stood out.

He watched her helping the stricken couple and for her trouble she was arrested with them. He was too far away to step in and plead her cause. It was only when she stood up in the truck, defiant, that he recognized her face.

The cave nurse looked across at him. She recognized him and saw him for what he was now: contaminated, polluted by this cowardly act of hate and cruelty. He felt sick to his stomach. That stare of contempt would live with him for the rest of his life, a stare that stripped him bare of hope and dignity.

Yolanda awoke after her long sleep, refreshed, but the atmosphere among the nurses had changed overnight as they tiptoed round, not looking her. Everyone was smiling with their lips but not their eyes and kept telling her to stay put. What on earth was going on? Had they heard bad news of Andreas?

‘Why’s everyone not looking at me? It’s Andreas . . .’

‘No, Yolanda, calm yourself, it’s not that.’ The doctor paused. ‘It’s just that we heard there’d been a raid in the night, well, more of a round-up.’

‘So?’ She rose, knowing it was time to leave this safe haven.

‘In the Jewish quarter. They’ve taken away all the Jews they could find.’

‘I don’t understand,’ she cried, making for the door.

‘Your parents still live there?’ he asked as he wiped his glasses.

‘Yes, yes, and Uncle Joseph and Aunt Miriam.’

‘I’m afraid all the streets have been cleared.’

Yolanda could hardly take in what he was saying. It seemed too big, too terrible an act, even for their enemies here. ‘No, no, this can’t be true. Not all of them? I must go and see for myself.’

‘That wouldn’t be wise. There’s a list and you will be on it. It may not be safe yet.’

‘Where have they taken them?’ she cried.

‘I don’t know yet, we can’t ask these things. You know how dependent we are on the garrison hospital for relief supplies.’

‘But we are Red Cross. They can’t let such a thing happen. I must find out if my family are safe,’ she said, ignoring his warning.

‘Yolanda, calm down. You need to rest those ankles. I’m sure the Red Cross officials will be monitoring the deportation.’

‘How can you be sure? I have to go and see for myself. This can’t be true. Why didn’t their neighbours stop them?’ She flung on her cloak.

He knew there was no stopping her. ‘Oh, do be careful. If you must go, wear this uniform and no one will challenge you. I wish I hadn’t told you so soon. There’s nothing you can do.’

‘I have a right to find out what’s happened.’

‘Please, Yolanda, if you protest and they find out who you are, you’ll be deported too.’

Once dressed in a nurse’s uniform, she made for the harbour as fast as her swollen legs would carry her, hoping that, by some miracle, this was all a false rumour.

She saw others rushing uphill carrying rugs and pots and furniture on their backs, and with a sickened heart she realized these things were looted. When she arrived the sight made her weep. Every house was stripped to the floorboards, stuff chucked out of balcony windows, women fighting over bedding and even feather pillows. Strangers were rifling through homes like vultures picking over bones. The streets were littered with torn photographs, pretzels and biscuits scattered on the cobbles, trampled into crumbs, picture frames smashed to release any silver. Such desecration stunned her to the point of numbness. There was nothing she could do to stop it, and in the distance soldiers merely stood around observing, laughing and joking.

How could human beings do this to each other? How could neighbours stand by and let this happen? Had they no decency?

Yolanda froze, the scream of protest rising up in her throat quashed by the sights before her. The whole community was gone! The saintly friends, the nosy neighbours, the rabbi and his family, and her beloved parents, all gone, and she knew she would never see them again in this life. She crumpled to the ground in agony.

A young woman rushed to her aid, lifting her up, leading her to her door. ‘I know you, you’re one of the Markos family, the nurse.’

Yolanda shivered at this recognition but the girl smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll say nothing. I’m so ashamed for us all. They were our friends and neighbours. My daughter is weeping for her school friends. Your family were good people. Come inside, you should not be seeing such things. The soldiers were in the houses the minute the people were removed, rough types searching for treasure. They looted down to the very door nails,’ she said, making Yolanda sit on a chair. She brought her a glass of water from a jug. ‘Drink, you are so pale. When they had their fill they let in the scum of Chania to take what is left, and still they search everywhere, tearing down walls in case jewels and gold are hidden. I tell you, who would live here in this rabbit warren if they had gold to sell? Beg pardon, I don’t mean to offend, but it’s a day that brings shame on all of Chania. It will not be forgotten. Now you must go. If I have recognized you, others will too, and I cannot vouch for their loyalty. Shame doesn’t bring out the best in us. Don’t ever come back while the enemy is here.’

But Yolanda wasn’t listening. She doubled up again in agony as a wave of pain surged from her back into her groin.

‘What is happening here? It’s too soon. Please help me . . .’ she appealed to the young woman. Then she knew no more.

Rainer Brecht stood to attention before the commandant, erect, smartly turned out. ‘I would like to volunteer for transfer onto mainland Europe, sir,’ he said, looking straight ahead. His superior looked up from his desk in surprise.

‘Think again, Major Brecht. Why now? Have we not promoted you enough? Are you tiring of sunshine and warm sea?’

‘I feel it’s my duty to serve my country where I am needed most,’ he offered, still looking ahead. He could give no rational explanation for this decision, only that he must redeem his honour, challenge himself in a proper theatre of war.

‘What’s brought this on? Not the Jew deportation? I heard you found it distasteful. It’s not wise to air such sentiments in public, young man. You have a good and varied service record here, and are held in respect by your men. You set a good example. You are needed here.’

‘Sir, I know there may be heavy losses to be replaced. I would like to fight wherever I can be useful in an active capacity. I feel I have had my turn in the sun. I just want to serve.’

‘Plug the gaps, you mean? Do you really want the eastern front or France? However, I can see you’ve made up your mind and I admire your courage. It will be a hard slog now to defend all we’ve gained. Who knows where it will end? Take some leave in Athens. We can fly you out . . .’

‘Could I request to sail, sir? I flew onto the island, I’d like to return by water, as part of my leave, of course.’

‘The Sea of Crete is not as safe as it once was. British and Italian submarines are on the prowl, but as you wish. I shall be sorry to lose you.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ Rainer saluted, suddenly feeling lighter. He was running away, perhaps to certain death, but he wouldn’t stay on this cursed island a moment longer.

‘Do you mean to tell us, where we had supper last night was where all of it happened?’ Lois gripped my hand. ‘I’d no idea. Granny never told us.’

‘My sister, Effy, didn’t know. I’ve never told anyone this before. It’s a terrible story and no one talked of such things after the war was over. We all wanted to forget and get on with our lives. Evadne and Walter were posted abroad when your mother was born. Zander made it home, almost in one piece. We shoved all such unpleasantness under the carpet. The only person I would’ve shared any of it with was my father, and he had died. My mother was not speaking to me. That’s how it was, but I’m not sure ignoring terrible events in your life is the best way. Looking back now, I don’t know how I survived.’

‘Your friend, did she survive the roundup?’

‘No. She disappeared, as did so many Jews. Things were chaotic for years afterwards. Greece was torn apart so many of the Resistance fighters took sides in the civil war and were executed by their own people. I wrote to people who might know what happened to Yolanda, of course, but nothing came of it. But now I am here, I will ask around. I’d like to pay my respects.

‘We can help you do the leg work,’ Mack offered. ‘My father wouldn’t speak of his wartime exploits either. He just came home and got on with his life, but his marriage failed and he remarried much later. I was the baby of his old age . . .’

‘What happened to you afterwards? Did you go to the prison camp with the old couple?’ Lois asked.

‘I think that’s enough for tonight,’ I said, keen not to let unhappy thoughts intrude on our lovely evening. Tomorrow’s the memorial service so let’s do something different, relaxing and cheerful. Let’s just be tourists for the day. Any suggestions, Mack?’

‘I know just the place for you all,’ he smiled, bringing out a map. ‘What about a trip to Rethymnon? Lots of shops and restaurants. What do you think?’

I nodded, not wanting to spoil their enthusiasm. I had my own memories of the pretty town from the back of a cargo truck, but enough of all that. This was a holiday as well as a pilgrimage, but there was no forgetting the darkness of those hot June nights or the terror of my last days on the island. No one who survived them would ever forget the horrors we witnessed. Is it right to burden young ones with such terrible accounts? There would be no peaceful slumbers for me that night, only the nightmare that haunted my fevered dreams.

The fact that Penny’s name was not on the list caused confusion, as did her claim to be a Red Cross nurse. The prison guard eyed her with deep suspicion.

‘So what are you doing on this truck?’

‘I was helping these elderly people. I was made to get on with them as a result,’ she said as she eyed her surroundings with dismay. All the rumours of this walled prison camp were true: the walls were high and forbidding and cast dark shadows over the prisoners.

‘So you were arrested?’

‘For helping old people? No, of course not. I am Red Cross. We must be present for the sick and weak.’ Staring into his face had no effect.