Flight Page 10

  ‘Yes,’ said Kizzy, trying to stifle another yawn.

  ‘Keep everything crossed.’

  She stood there with her fingers, arms and legs intertwined.

  In his head he said his silent prayers again. He knew this had to work. Jakob moved to the front of the frame and picked up both poles. The structure was much stronger. He glanced across at Kizzy and grinned.

  ‘Look.’ He shook the frame from side to side. The poles didn’t move, and the frame stayed solid. ‘You did it, Kizzy.’

  Tears of relief trickled down both their faces. ‘No, we did it,’ she said. Neither had slept all day, but they didn’t care. Adrenaline kept them both going … just.

  ‘Let’s eat, then sort the horses out. I’m not going to wake Herr Engel until we’re ready to go,’ said Jakob. He found two dented tins of soup and a chunk of stale bread in one of Herr Engel’s bags. ‘We don’t have to hunt this down,’ he said, waving them around.

  Kizzy laughed and flopped by the fire. ‘In that case, you can cook them. I’m so cold and exhausted. It’s your job.’

  ‘What’s all the noise?’ Herr Engel grumbled.

  ‘Oh, you’re awake,’ said Jakob.

  ‘No bloody choice with all that shouting.’ His guardian pulled himself up to a sitting position, wincing. ‘What are you cooking?’

  ‘Soup, do you want a bit?’

  ‘Is that all we have left?’

  Jakob sighed. ‘Yes, ’fraid so.’ He poured the soup into three mugs and handed it around.

  ‘It’ll have to do. Hope you’ve been resting. Are you ready for the last bit of the journey?’ Herr Engel took the soup and drank.

  Kizzy looked at Jakob, who shrugged and said, ‘Not quite. We’ve built you a sled. It’s over there.’

  ‘And what do you expect me to do, sit in it?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Kizzy. ‘You can’t ride again, it’ll kill you.’ She folded her arms and stared Herr Engel down.

  ‘Says who?’

  ‘Says me.’ Jakob had decided to take no nonsense. He’d never spoken back to Herr Engel but now he had no choice. ‘We need to get to Sankt Martin today and with you riding we won’t. We have to move faster.’

  Herr Engel said nothing. He went back to his soup.

  Jakob lost his appetite. The food tasted of nothing but he knew he mustn’t waste it. It was lukewarm, so he glugged it down, before going off to tack up the horses. Maestro was the oldest and most placid stallion, so wouldn’t panic at having to pull the sled. Jakob tried to make a bed in it. He rolled up one of his sweaters and put it at the top. He then placed Kizzy’s blankets at the bottom to add padding. They could use Herr Engel’s own blankets to keep him warm.

  ‘More than ever, we need your Sunday’s child luck.’ He didn’t want to think what would happen if the cantankerous old groom didn’t get better.

  ‘You better show me the way, Herr Engel.’ Jakob put the map down in front of them.

  Herr Engel gave him a strange look. ‘I think it’s time you called me Heinz, don’t you, particularly if you’re going to be in charge?’ He tried to wink at the boy. Jakob half smiled. His guardian focused on the map. ‘It’s relatively easy now. Follow the river and then cut through farmland here to get to the Schloss.’ He pointed.

  ‘I hope you’re right.’ Kizzy was dampening down the fire. ‘I’ve had enough excitement for a lifetime.’

  Heinz grimaced at her.

  Jakob laughed. ‘Let’s tie the sled to Maestro.’

  He held onto the contraption as Kizzy reversed the stallion in between the poles. She held him steady while Jakob pushed a branch through each of the leathers above the stirrup irons and tied it as tightly as he could. Moving over to Heinz, he leant down so his guardian could use him as a crutch again. He wrapped his arm around his waist. Jakob was sure he’d lost weight.

  Heinz hesitated. ‘Are those my ropes keeping that thing together?’

  ‘Yes, we had no choice.’

  Edging forward, Heinz’s broken leg caught on a tree root. ‘Argh!’

  Jakob grabbed hold of his guardian as he passed out. He was a dead weight. Kizzy ran forward. Between them they lifted him up. ‘That’s it, easy does it,’ said Jakob as they eased Heinz towards the sled and lowered him into it. The poles pressed down on the leathers as the sled took the weight. Maestro shifted and stumbled, confused by the strange sensation.

  ‘Ssh, lad, it’s all right.’ Jakob clicked his tongue.

  Herr Engel groaned as he came round.

  ‘Are you all right?’ asked Kizzy, holding his hand. Her face was almost as pale as his.

  He nodded, then in a very weak voice he mumbled, ‘I’m sorry.’ She squeezed his hand.

  ‘Kizzy, can you hold on to Maestro’s reins while I get on Raluca?’ She nodded. Jakob pulled himself up on the stallion’s back. ‘If I take him, Theo and Amato and you ride Pluto, can you lead the rest? I know it’s a lot.’

  ‘Of course! I am Roma, you know!’ She winked, handing him Maestro’s and the other horses’ reins before leaping onto Pluto’s back. ‘Let’s go.’

  ‘You ready Herr … Heinz?’ asked Jakob.

  ‘I’m sure I could ride,’ grumbled the groom, seemingly recovered from his faint.

  Jakob wasn’t going to discuss it. He pulled the reins together. ‘Are you ready?’ It was time to finish this journey.

  Kizzy made a noise.

  ‘I’ll take that as a yes.’ He squeezed his legs. Raluca looked round at him and nodded. Jakob smiled and shook his head. If he hadn’t known better he’d have thought the stallion had just told him it was all going to be all right. The horse moved forward with the three others following behind. Heinz groaned.

  ‘You all right?’

  ‘Yes, just get me to Sankt Martin.’

  ‘Kizzy, how about you?’ he shouted over his shoulder.

  ‘Yes, we’re just behind you. Don’t worry.’

  The train of horses and people moved off through the forest. Jakob tried to ensure that he took the smoothest route possible. It wasn’t always easy and every now and then he heard his guardian groan. It felt like a spear being thrust through his heart, but what was he to do?

  After several hours riding, the landscape began to change. ‘We’re moving on to farmland,’ Jakob shouted to Kizzy, ‘so keep your eyes peeled. We’re vulnerable now we’re out in the open.’

  ‘All right,’ Kizzy called back.

  It had been so hard trying to avoid the tree roots and it was a relief to get onto more even ground. However, with the moon shining as brightly as it was, it wouldn’t be easy to hide ten grey horses, one black one, a broken groom and two children. The moon was rich and buttery. It was time to pray.

  Heinz had been quiet for the last hour or so. Jakob tried to look back but couldn’t see him.

  ‘Is he all right?’ he shouted back to Kizzy.

  ‘Sleeping, I think. Are we nearly there?’

  ‘Not far.’

  ‘Good! I’m exhausted; these beasts are pulling my arms out of their sockets.’

  Jakob knew exactly what Kizzy meant. Every bone in his body ached and his head was pounding. He wanted to stop and sleep forever.

  They got to the road as the world lightened. Clouds the colour of purple bruises filled the sky. It should be only half a kilometre along the road, but that was plenty long enough to bump into any number of Nazi convoys. The change in surface caused Heinz to stir. He groaned loudly.

  ‘You all right, Heinz?’ Nothing. ‘Kizzy?’

  ‘I can’t see, sorry.’

  Jakob took a risk and pushed the stallions into a trot. He waited for the complaints but there was silence. Now he was worried.

  ‘Come on, Raluca, we need to get him to Sankt Martin.’

  Up ahead the sun was breaking through the clouds and in the distance he could see a sign.

  The baroque Schloss wasn’t far. It looked like a fairytale castle. Jakob hoped this one had a happy ending.

  So nearly t
here. Please don’t let us get caught. Jakob felt vulnerable as they trotted along.

  After what seemed like hours, they clattered into a yard near the Schloss. Please let this be the right place, Jakob prayed. Lights went on and a man came stumbling out, pulling his braces up over his shoulders.

  ‘What the…?’

  ‘Is the Director of the Spanish Riding School here? We’ve brought the young stallions and Herr Engel; he’s hurt. He’s broken his leg.’

  The man’s hand shot to his mouth, ‘Oh my God, Heinz. The Director is inspecting the horses.’ He shouted, ‘Director, Director! Come quick.’

  An elegant man came striding into the yard from the Schloss. Jakob vaguely recognised him. It was Director Alois Podhajsky. Were they here? Were they finally safe?

  ‘Heinz? Is that you?’ The Director came towards them, his arms wide. ‘I thought when you didn’t respond to my message that the Nazis had got you.’ He clasped his chest. ‘I can’t believe you’re safe.’

  Jakob tried to explain. ‘Didn't you get our message? We got here as soon as…’

  Relief and exhaustion swept over him and he slumped in his saddle. The pounding in his head got worse. Jakob could hear a buzzing noise. He looked round. Where was it coming from? The sound evaporated and a black mist came down over his eyes. He felt himself fall and then a burst of pain in his head. That was the last thing he knew.

  Chapter 17

  Jakob felt rays of sunlight warm his face, piercing his closed eyes, adding to the pounding in his head. All his limbs felt heavy. He let out a deep sigh. Things felt out of sorts. If the sun was that high in the sky, he must be late for the stables. Why hadn’t Herr Engel dragged him out of bed? He hated laziness. What had happened? Jakob couldn’t quite remember. He creased his forehead, trying to grasp a memory just out of reach. He groaned and rolled over. The ache in his head swelled.

  ‘About time you woke up.’

  Jakob’s eyes flew open. That was a girl’s voice. He tensed. There was a girl in his bedroom. That couldn’t be right.

  He tried to sit up. The hammering in his head got worse and a wave of nausea swept over him. In the corner of a bedroom that wasn’t his sat a girl on a rickety wooden chair. She was leaning against a chest of drawers at a very dodgy angle and looked likely to fall at any moment. But she didn’t seem worried. Her skin was nut brown against her white shirt, and her short hair was shiny and brushed.

  ‘You’ve gone a funny colour. Are you going to pass out again?’

  ‘I don’t know. I feel sick.’

  Kizzy rolled off the chair and passed Jakob a bin into which he promptly threw up. He flopped back on the pillow. She dampened a cloth from a bowl on the chest of drawers. Without a word she wiped his face. He hadn’t the strength to object. After a bit she spoke, obviously unable to bear the silence.

  ‘You’ve been asleep for two days!’

  This seemed a problem. He felt even more confused.

  ‘I know you banged your head really badly and they said you were weak after the journey, but really! This place is huge and I want someone to explore with.’

  Slowly the jigsaw in his mind slotted back into place. ‘Is Herr Engel all right?’ He tried to get up again.

  She pushed him back down. ‘Stay where you are. The doctor said you have to until he’s seen you. And as for Herr Engel, you’re meant to call him Heinz now, remember?’

  Jakob tried to shake his head. It hurt. He was surprised he couldn’t remember something that important.

  ‘He’s not been great but he’s doing better. The leg was a bad break, but we did a good job splinting it.’ She smiled at him. A memory of the grey-faced groom screaming came back to Jakob.

  ‘The horses?’

  ‘All groomed and well fed. All their cuts are healing, thank goodness. The men won’t let me near them though. Because I’m a girl!’

  Jakob closed his eyes, sighing, ‘We really got here.’

  Kizzy chuckled. ‘We did!’

  There was a knock at the door. Jakob opened one eye.

  ‘He’s awake,’ shouted Kizzy. He grabbed at his head.

  Two men came in. One seemed familiar, but the other Jakob didn’t know. He stooped and had thin grey hair. In his hand was a battered leather case.

  ‘Good to see you’re awake, lad, if a little pale. You gave us a fright, toppling off your horse and knocking yourself out, you know?’ said Director Podhajsky. ‘This is Dr Stein. He wants to check you over.’ The Director looked across at Kizzy. ‘Time for you to leave, young lady.’

  She huffed as she walked out of the door. Jakob was relieved she’d gone before the doctor threw the sheet back and peered down at Jakob’s body.

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘Oh, you’re circumcised, Jakob?’

  Jakob realised quite how bare he was. His face flushed in panic and he covered himself with his hands, pulling his shirt down. He screwed his eyes shut. He couldn’t face what would happen next, now they knew he was Jewish.

  A cool hand rested on his shoulder and a knot of fear twisted in his stomach. Opening his eyes, he saw the doctor smiling at him. A smile that reached his eyes.

  ‘It’s all right, Jakob. Don’t worry. No one knows you’re a Jew and no one will, not from me. Will they, Director?’

  He turned to Podhajsky who shook his head. ‘We’ve looked after you so far. You’re a horseman first here, boy. A damn fine one, too, from what they’ve been telling me. You saved Heinz and my stallions. Nothing else matters. Remember that.’

  Jakob blinked back tears.

  The Director moved away. ‘How long till he’s fit enough to help in the yard?’

  ‘Let me just check his head and chest, but I’m certain he’ll be well enough soon. Don’t you think, Jakob?’

  Jakob sat back up, ignoring the pain in his head, and tried to get out of bed. ‘Oh, yes, sir.’

  The doctor pushed him back down. ‘Hold on. Let me do my checks first. You had a nasty head injury.’ He took a stethoscope out of his case, put it in his ears then placed it against Jakob’s chest. It was cold and made him shiver. ‘Breathe in for me, please.’

  He attempted to draw in as much air as he could.

  Dr Stein took out a small torch and shone it at Jakob’s face. ‘Follow the light with your eyes.’ Finally, he said to the Director, ‘Yes, all good. Let him rest again today. Tomorrow he’ll be fine to help out. Ease him back into it, though.’

  ‘Can I see Heinz?’ asked Jakob.

  The Director looked at Dr Stein. ‘Yes, it would do Heinz good to see him.’

  ‘Is he all right?’

  ‘He’s not as young as you,’ said Director Podhajsky. ‘And he’s badly hurt.’

  Dr Stein interrupted, ‘But you did a good job with his leg. You and Kizzy probably saved it.’

  The Director nodded.

  Kizzy came bounding back in. Jakob grabbed the sheet and covered himself up.

  ‘Hang on, young lady. Never heard of knocking?’ asked the Director.

  Kizzy was breathless and seemed not to care she was being told off. ‘Oh, I know, but I was listening outside and I want to take him to Heinz.’

  The two older men smiled. ‘Kizzy, don’t wear him out. I want him fit enough to work with the horses tomorrow.’

  ‘What about me?’

  The Director patted her arm and walked out.

  She put her hands on her hips and for the first time Jakob realised she was wearing a skirt. A black look flitted across her face. ‘Why does he do that?’

  Jakob shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘Get up then!’

  He blushed crimson. ‘I’m not getting dressed while you’re still in here.’

  ‘Why not? You did before.’

  He laughed, ‘That’s because there was no choice. I’ll dress quickly, I promise.’

  When he stood up, the room swam. He felt sick again, but tried to focus on finding his clothes. Determined to see Heinz, he washed and dressed as quickly as possible. The jodhpurs f
elt good. Someone had put the photo of his parents by the bowl on the chest of drawers. He stopped a moment to look at it.

  Kizzy was singing outside. ‘Get a move on, will you? You take longer than a girl to get ready,’ she shouted.

  Jakob opened the door. ‘Ssh. I’m here, aren’t I? Let’s go to Heinz.’ He stood, waiting for her, not knowing where to go.

  ‘Ooh, get you, all smart now.’ She pushed him round and round then danced off down the corridor.

  ‘Hold on, will you?’ Getting dressed had left him exhausted. He felt clammy as he stumbled into a side table covered in porcelain horses and had to stop them tumbling over. The last thing he wanted was trouble.

  Kizzy twisted round. ‘Oh not again! You’ve gone that funny colour. Are you all right?’ Taking his arm, she pulled it over her shoulder. ‘Lean on me. We can do this together.’ She half laughed, ‘You’d never have lasted as long as me living in the open if our little journey makes you this ill!’ Jakob didn’t know what to say as the room span once more. She glanced up at him and squeezed his arm. ‘It’s this way.’

  She led him downstairs to another corridor of doors, then stopped and knocked on one of them, opening it without waiting to be asked.

  ‘Look, Heinz, look who I’ve brought to see you,’ announced Kizzy as they tumbled into the room.