He’d taken a chance that Erik would be at home. He thought it was important that they have a talk before he left for Norway. He trusted Erik. There was something sincere, something honest behind his rather reserved façade. And Hans knew that he was loyal. That was what he was counting on most of all. Because Hans couldn’t ignore the possibility that something might happen to him. He was going back to Norway, and even though the war was over, he couldn’t predict what might happen to him there. He had done things, unforgivable things, and his father had been one of the foremost symbols of the evil the Germans had done in his country. Now that he was going to be a father, Hans needed to think of all the eventualities. He couldn’t leave Elsy without a protector. And Erik was the only person he could think of who might fill that role. He knocked on the door.
Erik was not at home alone. Hans sighed to himself when he found Britta and Frans in the library as well. They were listening to records on Erik’s father’s gramophone.
‘Mamma and Pappa won’t be home until tomorrow,’ Erik explained as he took his usual place behind the desk. Hans stood in the doorway, hesitating.
‘I was actually hoping to talk to you in private,’ he said, looking at Erik.
‘What sort of secrets do the two of you have?’ Frans teased them, draping one leg over the armrest of the chair he was sitting on.
‘Yes, what are your secrets?’ Britta repeated, smiling at Hans.
Erik shrugged and got up. ‘Let’s step outside for a moment,’ he told Hans, heading for the porch. Hans followed, carefully shutting the door behind him. They sat down on the bottom step.
‘I have to go away for a few days,’ Hans said, poking at the gravel with the toe of his shoe.
‘Where are you going?’ asked Erik, pushing up his glasses, which kept slipping down his nose.
‘To Norway. I need to go home and . . . take care of a few things.’
‘Okay,’ said Erik, showing little interest.
‘And I want to ask you a favour.’
‘All right.’ Erik shrugged his shoulders. From inside the house they could hear the music playing on the gramophone. Frans must have turned up the volume.
Hans hesitated. Then he said, ‘Elsy is pregnant.’
Erik didn’t reply. He just pushed up his glasses again. ‘She’s pregnant, and I want to apply to the authorities for permission to marry her. But first I need to go back home and take care of things. So, if . . . if something happens to me . . . Will you promise to look after her?’
Erik still didn’t speak, and Hans waited nervously for his reply. He didn’t want to leave without knowing that someone he trusted had promised to help Elsy.
Finally Erik said, ‘Of course I’ll look after Elsy. Even though I think it’s unfortunate that you’ve put her in this situation. But why are you worried that something might happen to you?’ He frowned. ‘You should be welcomed back home as a hero. Why would anyone criticize you for fleeing when things got too dangerous?’ He turned to look at his friend.
But Hans ignored the question. He stood up and brushed off his trousers.
‘Of course nothing is going to happen. But just in case, I wanted to tell you about it. And now you’ve made me a promise.’
‘Okay, okay,’ said Erik, getting up too. ‘Do you want to come inside and say goodbye to the others before you go? My brother is home too. He got back yesterday,’ said Erik, his face lighting up.
‘I’m so glad to hear that,’ said Hans, patting Erik on the shoulder. ‘How is he? I heard that he was on his way home, but that he’d had a rough time of it.’
‘Yes, he did.’ A shadow passed over Erik’s face. ‘He had a rough time. And he’s very weak. But at least he’s home now!’ he said, his face lighting up again. ‘So why don’t you come inside and say hello. The two of you haven’t met yet.’
Hans smiled and nodded as he followed Erik back inside the house.