I decide to move out next morning, but where to? The problem is solved by a miracle. When two elegant ladies come to my hideout: mother and daughter, Vali and Loli from Csaba - distant relatives. They moved away from Csaba many years ago and live in the suburbs in Pasarét but German soldiers have evicted them.
"You are coming with us. We must leave right away."
There was no time for questions. Rákóczi Road was empty. Only a few army trucks hurtled by on Kossuth Lajos street. The ladies were living at the Vadászkürt Motel (Hunting Morn) as refugee countesses, with credentials authenticating their noble identity. As we walk along the south side of Rózsadomb (Rose Hill comparable to Westmount), we arrive at a cottage in the alley. The owner is the manager of the rugs department at Corvin's (a department store). Laci Iritz is sending a car to pick us up. He will take us to Mr. Krüner who is the owner of the cottage and who was Vali's late husband's client. Within minutes the reception announces "The embassy car is here." I sit in the back, between the ladies. We drive without ever being stopped. It is still morning. Mr. Krüner is waiting and seems rather impatient. (Maybe he is in a hurry to get to the department store.) He quickly briefs me.
"This corner room will be yours. If you have to use the toilet, do not flush. There are people upstairs and they are not to know that anyone else lives here. I cannot supply you with food, as I am pretty hard up myself, but you can help yourself to some potatoes that are in the pantry. The stove may only be used when I am home. No smoke should be visible coming out of the chimney. During the day the room quite comfortable." They leave.
I stare at the grey sky through the lace curtains - the sky which I have not seen in weeks. The street is deserted. Its still early, but its dark already, Mr. Krüner comes home at the time he said he would and finds all in order. He starts the fire in the stove and puts the potatoes in the ashes. He gives me a cup of tea. It is Christmas Eve and Vali and Loli appear with a basket of canned food, sweets and apples. They sit down by the stove and tell me the latest news. The net is closing in. The Soviet troops have surrounded Budapest and whatever is left of the German army. Hungarian soldiers would like to come home for Christmas, but cannot get through. We wonder - how much longer? Probably Pest will be liberated first. We should get back to the Pest side...
Its getting late. It would be wise, in fact necessary that Vail and Loli accept Mr. Krüner's hospitality. They move into a room facing the Rózsadomb. Next morning, we have tea in my room. We hear a noise and footsteps. German is being spoken. German soldiers' boots echo in the alley under our window the soldiers are marching by with bayonets. Within seconds I realize that the battlefield is by my window. Even Mr. Krüner would be driven out by the Germans. We have to get away, before it's too late. Vali and Loli have left. We plan to meet at Szabadság (Freedom) Square no. 12. I attempt the impossible...to cross over to Pest to Laci Iritz's. The sky is still grey. A cold wind blows from the Danube. The street is full of leaves and garbage. The area is swarming with German soldiers in overalls. There is a machine gun nest every ten meters. In some places, they are just stashing them away. I try to avoid the Germans and actually succeed.
Before I reach Szép Ilona (Pretty Helen) street, I check out the area, then hurry along. Where is Szabadság Tér? I'm all puffed out. I lean against the back of a bench, when to my greatest surprise a yellow streetcar appears at the stop. It's the terminus and the passengers disembark. The conductor changes places and heads off toward Pest, but he does not make it to the next stop. Armed Arrow Cross servicemen stop the car and block the exits. I.D.s Identifications Papers! There are very few passengers, some old folks clutching their little bundles. But there is no mercy. Everybody off - everyone checked - then back on. Scary moments. I produce my refugee papers - and I am let back on. That was something! I stand beside the conductor. He says: "Budakeszi is in Russian hands and these guys are still giving us the third degree!"
I get off after the bridge.