Читать книгу Mirror, Mirror - Paula Byrne - Страница 24

‘Papi, you will not believe this … now listen carefully and tell me what to do.

‘“Applause for Joan Madou, who has finally dismissed the Jewish director who has always cast her as a prostitute or a fallen woman, but never in the role which would bring dignity to the great citizen and representative of the Third Reich. Now, Madou should come home to the Fatherland, assume her historic role as a leader of the German film industry and end allowing herself to be the tool of Hollywood’s Jews!”

‘Do they really believe that I will be returning to Germany, when eight million Jews are trying to escape? Papi, you must leave at once, and you must bring Mother with you. I’ll send you more money. Now, speak to your daughter.’

‘Hello, Papi. How is Sofi?’

I knew from the silence that I had displeased my father by my reference to his long-term mistress. But I loved her deeply, and it was so long ago that I had seen her, and felt her arms around me. I should have remembered to be more careful.

‘I’m sorry, Papi. I’ve been rude. I miss you so much. I worry about Mutti. She’s seemed so worried, and Mo has gone.’

‘Do not worry, Kater. I need to speak to your mother, again.’

‘Papi, may I have a dog?’

‘Goodbye, Kater.’

On my father’s advice, Mother contacted the studio’s head of publicity, and later that day announced that she would sever all ties with Germany and apply for American citizenship. She also released a statement, praising Mo as her God: ‘It is not my wish for our association to be broken. I would prefer to go on as in the past. He feels that this is the time for me to go on alone. So that is what I shall do.’

Many years later, Papi told me of the danger he was under. On the evening of Mother’s statement, Papi was paid a visit requiring him to take on a senior position in the German film industry. He thanked the official for the great honour, and asked for twenty-four hours to think about it. As soon as he was alone, he packed a suitcase, threw it into his car and drove slowly and calmly all through the night until he reached Paris. Don’t bring attention to yourself. Don’t stop. Don’t panic. He told me that he had never been so afraid in all of his life. He then telephoned my mother. She cried with relief. I wondered why she had forgotten to ask about Sofi.

My father was pleased when Mother told him that the studio had renewed her contract, making her the highest paid star in Hollywood. She celebrated by renting a new house in Bel Air, and going jewellery shopping. She went to Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin and bought magnificent cabochon emeralds. People said they were a present from one of her lovers, but that wasn’t true. They were a present to herself. They were to be one of her best investments.

I called them my sisters. The emerald and diamond cuff was 128 carats, and its huge cabochon stone, the size of a bantam egg, could be snapped into a ring. There were two clips, one pin, a necklace, and a pair of earrings. My green charges lived in grey, velvet caskets and they barely left my sight. I felt less lonely now that I had my emerald sisters. I hoped that Heidi didn’t feel jealous, though she would always be my priority. But I had other responsibilities now. My mother had entrusted me with her most special possessions, and I vowed never to let her down. Nothing bad could ever happen to my sisters as long as they were with me. Sometimes, they appeared in her films, sparkling in the lights, for ever in posterity. Now they are long-gone, disappearing somewhere to pay bills and taxes. But will they ever grace a wrist, a finger, a neck as beauteous as my mother’s?

Mother made her first picture without Mo. It was called The Song of Songs. Lacy was her leading man. Ah, so that’s why he came for scrambled eggs in the mornings! In the absence of Mo, Mother was taking on ‘Madou’ as her personal duty. She tells me that she needs to protect and perfect what Mo has created. It will become a lifetime dedication. It will show how the pupil has learned from the master. She will create a legend. Yes, the looks, the costumes will stand the test of time. She and Travis concentrated on creating a series of breathtaking images. She remembered the lessons from her master, very well.

Travis and Mother created a fabulous black velvet, off-the-shoulder evening dress, with egret feathers. She was as ravishing as ever, but there was a terrible, unforgettable moment when she first arrived on-set, and spoke for everyone to hear: ‘Mo, where are you?’

The scene everyone remembers was Mother posing naked. Lacy, who played a sculptor, sketches her naked, so that he can preserve her beauty in cold marble. Draped in black silk, Mother slowly removed her robe, revealing her milk-white body from shoulder and neck, the camera then dropping to reveal her naked legs. It was one of the most daring scenes in movie history.

Now that I’m old, I love to look back at that film, and witness Lacy’s love for my mother. I wonder why she is so often compared with a statue. Perhaps because statues never grow old. I won’t say because she was as cold as marble. That would be unfair. Lacy was so handsome, so English. The first man I really loved. Who made me feel safe.

Lacy encouraged me to read the Song of Songs, telling me that it contained some of the most beautiful language ever written about the love between man and woman. He told me that first love was precious and pure. He explained that this was the way he thought about my mother. One day, he trusted, my first love would feel this way about me. Ever-dutiful, I took out my bible.

I am my beloved, and my beloved is mine.

He feeds among the lilies.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – for his love is more beautiful than wine.

Her breasts are twin fawns.

I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had left.

Lacy was right. It was the most moving description of love that I had ever heard. My mother was so darned lucky that a man like Lacy loved her so passionately. I wondered what first love might be for me. To this day, I am relieved that Lacy never discovered the truth.