THE JOURNEY 

By Tessa Harvey

    She barely recognised the harsh voice of the colonel outside her door. "Come to my study as soon as possible, Fraulein." Then he marched away - actually marched in his own house. Alice clicked her heels together in defiance, and then saluted the British way! It was childish but her head ached and she was tired and worried about her brother.
    The study door was ajar. Alice knocked lightly. "Come in, please!" The officer was working at his desk and affected not to notice her. Annoyed and feeling ill, the young woman deliberately sighed audibly and sat down unbidden.
    Colonel Jager looked up. He opened a drawer in his desk, found an envelope and held it out.
    "Here are your wages. Your employment is terminated. Pack your things. "In one hour," - he made a point of looking at the clock on his wall -"I will drive you to the train station. That is all. You are dismissed."
    "But...." stammered Alice.
    "That is all!" He raised his voice. "Be punctual."

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