Face at the Window

By Janet Roberts

Aleksander is sure he's glimpsed a face at the window, high up in the old print works, but everyone knows that is empty. Then he hears that Jews are hiding! He then discovers that his teacher is their helper. He becomes Hannah's penpal but gets increasingly worried about her. Either the bombs or the Gestapo will kill her. Is it true that there's a man called 'Bielski' who is hiding Jews in the forest? There's only one way to find out, but will he even survive such a perilous undertaking in a forest full of hungry wolves and black bears?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Roberts
• Release date: Dec 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465834492

Janet Roberts

In Janet Roberts' books, you’ll often find someone spending a bit of time by a lake, river or ocean somewhere in the world. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, on the Great Lakes, she loves an endless view of water for as far as the eye can see. Janet graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. After working as a journalist and later as a paralegal, she obtained her masters in communications from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Janet began writing fiction and poetry as a child and never let go of her dream of publishing a novel.  Although her current job as a security awareness program lead has meant moving to a variety of cities, she often returns to her Western Pennsylvania roots in her writing.  

Book preview

Face

at the

Window

Janet Roberts

Smashwords Edition - Copyright 2011 Janet Roberts

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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***

16, Rue Yafo

94142 JERUSALEM

ISRAEL

5th February 2005

General Manager

Golden Books Publishing House

14a Howden Street

London W1

Dear Sir

I hope you are not offended by us sending you these letters. Our mother has recently died, at the age of 75, and on going through her things we found this bundle. They were at the very bottom of her handbag, and it appears that she kept them close to her throughout her lifetime.

We were unaware of the correspondence until after her death, but we felt they were sufficiently important that we would like to have them published. We have heard you are a good publishing company.

If, of course you consider them unsuitable we would be very grateful if you would kindly return them to the above address.

With very good wishes

Hannah Kapski

Hannah Kapski and on behalf of her three sisters.

***

Chapter 1

It was a glimpse, no more and yet the young boy was convinced that he'd seen a face, just for a moment. Of course it was ridiculous! Everyone knew that the old print works was empty. In fact it had been vacant and unused for as long as Aleksander could remember. It must have been the reflection of a cloud or something he reasoned, but he just didn't feel very convinced.

When he got home his mother was standing chatting to the woman next door, a not too unusual occurrence.

But think of the amount of food they'd need. Not just once a week, but every day!

I know. It's hard enough to get enough to eat, without worrying about another family. Aleksander's mother nodded. She was only too aware of the shortage the war had brought to their town.

And what about money? That's what I'd want to know. They want a cabbage - so they need the money to pay for it.

In a low voice Aleksander's mother almost whispered

I've heard they've got jewellery - you know - nice things and she said it as though it was some sort of secret.

The neighbour folded her arms across her chest

Still got to have someone take it and find a buyer - and everyone's short of money

True enough. What times we're living through! Still better get the lad something to eat, he's doubtless starving as usual and she rumpled Aleksander's blond hair.

As soon as the door was closed and the pair was alone inside the young boy turned to his mother and said,

What were you and Mrs Pachenkov talking about?

As she hurried over to the small stove his mother said

"Oh there's a silly rumour going around that there are Jews hiding in the town. Can you believe such a thing? What will they be dreaming up next? I know of course they're having a really bad time, and hundreds have just been marched out of the town to goodness knows where, but hiding - now