Chapter 58

I led Lieutenant Morrison to the Opel. Lana, Boris, and Benthe were standing by it, and I saw him instantly notice the revealing cleavage their bodices revealed. He stood beside Lana, getting a good view of the inner halves of her breasts.

‘Ik ben bang dat de naam van sergeant Van Den Muir niet op de passagierslijst staat. Ik weet niet wanneer hij naar Canada kan terugkeren, of dat je met hem mee kunt gaan.”

“I’m afraid that Sergeant Van Den Muir’s name is not on the passenger manifest. I don’t know when he can return to Canada, or if you can go with him.”

“Hoe moeten we naar Canada komen? Mijn dochter en ik zijn allebei zwanger. We hebben de overblijfselen van onze boerderij achter ons gelaten en hebben iets van waarde bij ons.”

“How are we supposed to get to Canada? My daughter and I are both pregnant. We left the remains of our farm behind us and have everything of value with us,” Benthe stated on the verge of tears.

“Waar moeten we slapen en eten? We hebben geen huis meer om naar terug te gaan. Canada zou ons nieuwe thuis moeten zijn!”

“Where are we supposed to sleep and eat? We have no home left to go back to. Canada is supposed to be our new home!” Lana cried out.

“Father Dekker, a Catholic priest in Apeldoorn, told us he had arranged everything, including their immigration papers,” I stated.

“Did you say, Father Dekker? Just a moment I’ll be right back!” Lieutenant Morrison said, hurrying back to the office.

He returned a moment later, carrying a large envelope. “When you said, Father Dekker, it jogged my memory. This was delivered to us the other day with Father Dekker’s name on it. I assumed it was for him.”

He opened the envelope, taking out the contents. The Lieutenant read them over quickly. He then looked at the passenger manifest.

“There it is! Father Dekker, four passengers! The Hague, to Liverpool, then onto Halifax, Nova Scotia!” He pointed to his name on the list. “He should have put your name and the others on the list, and there wouldn’t have been any confusion.”

Lana, Boris, and Benthe were looking at us as we spoke, noticing my change in expression. The Lieutenant looked over the papers. “I’m no immigration officer, but everything seems to be in order.”

“We’re going to Canada!” I said loudly.

“Je gaat naar Canada!”

“You are going to Canada!” Lieutenant Morrison told them, pointing to the papers. Lana screamed her delight, giving Lieutenant a grateful hug and kiss on the cheek, followed by Benthe appreciation and Boris’s handshake.

“When can we load their belongings onto the ship?” I asked.

“They’re expecting to take all of this with them? As far as I know we haven’t even begun to take ordinary civilians to Canada.”

“This is most everything they could take, leaving the rest behind. If there is a surcharge, I’ll gladly pay it.”

“I’ll check with the ship’s Quarter Master to see what room he has.”

“The other thing is, my father-in-law needs to sell his car and trailer, unless they’ve got room for it on the ship.”

“It sure had a lousy paint job,” he observed.

“Hand crafted by Boris.”

“I’m staying in the Netherlands for some time and I could use a car to get around in,” Lieutenant Morrison said, walking around the car.

“Opel, what year is it?”

“1939 with about 45,000 kilometers on it, about 27,000 miles.”

“Ik ben geïnteresseerd in je auto.”

“I’m interested in your car.”

He looked closer at the interior, noting the three-speed transmission. He sat on the driver’s seat looking at the interior’s condition, then started the engine. He stepped from it, walking around and lifted the engine hood. He knew one Canadian dollar was equal to about three and a half Dutch guilders.

“Ziet er in goede staat uit, behalve de verf. Ik geef je er 500 gulden voor.”

“Looks in good condition, except for the paint. I’ll give you 500 guilders for it.”

“800, en dat is inclusief de trailer.”

“800, and that includes the trailer,” Boris said.

“700,” The Lieutenant countered.

“750,” Boris replied.

The Lieutenant walked around the car and trailer once more. “U heeft een deal voor uzelf, meneer.”

“You have yourself a deal, Sir.” They shook hands.

“Ik zal je de volgende ochtend contant geld brengen voordat het schip vertrekt.”

“I will bring you cash in the morning before the ship leaves.”