Volker scoffed, puffing cigarette smoke across the table. ‘If your papa was in the habit of teaching music to Jews, as I’ve heard, then it’s no wonder.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and turned into the restaurant again, as if looking for the attention of Herr Deutelmoser. ‘Shall we eat? I’m getting hungry.’
Menus were brought and meals were ordered, and by the time the entrées were served, Johann was glad to see that Volker had settled down to his usual, convivial self again. A pleasant evening ensued, although Johann soon confirmed his earlier thoughts concerning the real reason Volker had invited his cousin to dine with them. He also picked up on a peculiar dynamic that seemed to exist between Volker and his cousin. At every opportunity, Volker would encourage Johann and Trudi into conversation together, confirming to Johann that Trudi was there purely to distract Johann so that Volker could have Ava to himself.
Trudi, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to Volker’s machinations. To the contrary, she had barely stopped looking at Volker all evening, just as Johann had not stopped looking at Ava—and he had several times caught her looking back. Trudi’s affection for Volker seemed utterly transparent, and Johann was glad to see it, not least because, while Johann found Trudi as easy to talk to as she was on the eye, he thought her very immature, which made perfect sense to him when he discovered during the course of the evening that she had only recently turned seventeen.
At just after eleven, they left the Osteria Bavaria in high spirits, Volker having been the centre of attention throughout the meal—not that Johann minded. He had a few days in Munich before he had to join his unit, and he planned to make them count where Ava Bauer was concerned. She had already agreed to meet him at the Park Café on Sophienstrasse the following afternoon, and as they all made their way along Schellingstrasse in the cool night air, heading for a bar Volker had suggested they visit for a nightcap, Johann was already looking forward to it.
He watched Ava walking ahead of him beneath the lamplight, and for a moment he imagined how good it would feel to hold her soft hand in his. As it was, it was Volker who walked beside her, while he walked with Trudi, which again was all to Volker’s plan as far as Johann was concerned. Every now and then Ava would turn back to Johann with a smile that was as much to say that she would rather be beside him. At least, that’s what Johann chose to believe she was thinking.
‘You like your cousin, don’t you, Trudi?’ Johann asked her, speaking quietly so that Volker couldn’t hear him.
‘Is it that obvious?’
Johann smiled and gave a small, almost sympathetic laugh. ‘I’m afraid it is.’
Trudi sighed. ‘Oh, dear. He must think me very foolish. He’s usually very affectionate towards me, but it seems his heart is now set on someone else.’
Johann knew it to be true, but he would not hurt Trudi’s feelings any further by telling her as much. He cast his attention ahead and saw that Volker was almost laughing as he spoke to Ava about something he hadn’t been able to hear. Ava seemed to be enjoying his company, but there was that look over her shoulder again, and he fancied the smile on her lips was for him. A moment later, Ava glanced back again, and it seemed to interrupt whatever it was that Volker was saying because he suddenly stopped talking. His face soured as it had in the restaurant earlier.
‘Here, Johann,’ he said. ‘Why don’t you walk with Ava. I can see you would both prefer it.’
‘Volker,’ Ava began, as if to apologise, but Volker cut her short.
‘No, no. I must insist.’
As Johann and Trudi caught up to them, Volker grabbed Johann’s arm and pulled him closer. Johann couldn’t help but see the funny side of the matter. Here was Volker having invited his beautiful cousin along in the hope of beguiling Johann away from Ava, and yet Trudi was so smitten with him that she’d had eyes for no one else all evening. His friend’s plan had well and truly backfired. The irony of the situation made Johann laugh.
‘What is it?’ Volker asked. ‘What’s so funny, eh?’
‘It’s nothing,’ Johann said, trying not to smile now that he could see how serious his friend had suddenly become. ‘Let’s go and get that nightcap.’
‘No, really. I should like to know what it is about me you find so amusing.’
‘It’s not you Volker. Look, forget about it. I’m sorry I laughed. I didn’t mean anything.’
Johann put a hand on Volker’s shoulder to appease him, but Volker knocked it sharply away again.
‘I won’t be laughed at,’ Volker said. His hand wandered to the dagger on his belt. ‘If you were not my closest friend, I—’