Page 34 of The Stolen Queen

“What is it? Did something happen to Layla?” Charlotte should never have left her alone. She dropped her tote bag and began to race to the nursery, but Mrs. Jankowski stopped her.

“No, the baby’s fine, she’s sleeping,” said Mrs. Jankowski. “I just heard the news that we’re leaving.”

“Who?”

“The entire team. Things in Poland are getting worse; we should be with our families.”

“Of course.” Charlotte was ashamed at how relieved she was that it was Hitler’s aggression that had Mrs. Jankowski so upset, not Layla’s well-being. “What happens to the excavation?”

“When we come back, we’ll start where we left off.”

Just then, Henry burst through the front door. He and Mrs. Jankowski spoke quickly to each other, and then the woman left.

“What’s going on?” asked Charlotte. Her plans for a quiet dinner for two dissipated.

“We’re leaving. Now.”

“Where?”

“America.”

“We’re not Polish. Our families aren’t threatened.” It wasn’t like Henry to get caught up in a panic, but the logic didn’t make sense, either. The thought of getting from Luxor to New York with only a moment’s notice seemed as crazy as heading to the moon.

“Trust me, it’s time.”

“Why, though? What’s the rush?”

Henry began gathering up papers on his desk, refusing to meet her eyes. “I don’t have time to explain. We’re taking a steamer fromLuxor to Cairo, leaving tonight. From there we’ll board a ship to New York.”

“I really think you’re overreacting.”

“Leon will meet us at the dock. Grab what you can and leave the rest in the trunk. I’ve arranged to have it picked up and shipped separately. There’s a cart and donkey waiting outside.”

Henry’s panic came across as way out of proportion. It wasn’t as if Hitler was going to invade Egypt tomorrow; their lives weren’t at stake. He was keeping something from her. Or maybe she was still wrapped up in the dream world of being a mother and had lost her perspective. Reluctantly, she did what he asked.

The ship was long and narrow, with two floors of accommodations and public rooms and a sundeck on top. Their room was small but comfortable, dominated by a bed with a copper frame. She placed Layla in the center of the bed and began unpacking. The trip would take a few days, and maybe, by the time they arrived, she’d have gotten to the bottom of whatever was going on with Henry. Once they reached Alexandria, she’d send a telegram to her parents with the news they were returning home. She worried about the reception they’d receive, but there was no going back now.

As the ship pulled away from the dock, Charlotte stayed in the cabin with the baby. Henry arranged for their dinner to be brought to the room, and the food was decent, if bland. Layla fell into a deep slumber, aided by the gentle rocking of the ship and the vibration of the steam engine.

But as she and Henry got ready for bed, a crackle of thunder made Charlotte jump. It rarely rained in Egypt, and at first she wasn’t sure what the sound was. Soon after, the wind picked up, howling outside their cabin door like a clan of hyenas. Charlotte eventually fell into an uneasy sleep beside Henry.

At some point in the night, a loud crunching sound jolted her awake. She wasn’t sure where she was for a moment, in Cairo, or maybe the house in Luxor? No, she was on a boat. And there was screaming coming from the promenade outside their cabin. The sound of doors opening and slamming shut was followed by footsteps and men’s voices, the wind howling over the chaos. Henry leaped out of bed and put on his trousers. “Stay here, let me see what’s going on.”

The baby woke and let out a soft cry. Charlotte picked her up and held her to her chest, hoping the pounding of her heart would soothe rather than upset the girl.

Henry was back in a flash.

“We’ve hit something. Another ship, it looks like. Get dressed now.”

Charlotte’s mind whirled with confusion and fear. If she got dressed and went outside, it would mean she’d have to face the expanse of water that separated her and Layla from dry land. Better to stay here and pretend that everything was fine. She couldn’t do it; she couldn’t. She imagined the water reaching her feet, and then her waist, before finally enveloping her in its suffocating kiss.

“Charlotte. Now.”

She blinked away the darkness. If she followed Henry’s commands, they would stay safe. Charlotte gently placed the baby on the bed and pulled on her dress and shoes as Henry reached into the closet and grabbed an unfamiliar suitcase.

“Do we need the luggage?” asked Charlotte. “Won’t that just get in the way?”

“Only this one,” he said.

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