The rainbow never sets

top of my voice, as I was running inside, with Heinz on my heals.

"Let's go into the cellar." We all joined Frau Koggel, this time we were as scared as she was. But nothing happened for about two hours.

"Can't we have some lunch while we are all here?" I asked. "We don't have to sit at the table upstairs, we can have it here." Fräulein Lina was always practical. As long as Gerda was near Mutter, she was quite courageous.

"I'll have a big sandwich please." We shared some food with Heinz and Frau Koggel, who seemed pleased that we were there.

After lunch, Heinz and I went upstairs. "It's all clear," we announced, after we had looked through the garden gate and along the street.

The family came upstairs too. They needed a rest. Heinz and I sat by the barn in the warm midday sun, talking.

Suddenly there was another explosion. Not a dull thump, as before. This was a 'crash É bang.' It came from the next farm house. We looked at each other.

"That was close. I think, something got hit." "Let's have a look."

As we walked towards the farm yard of the farmer next door, we could already see some smoke coming from the barn. We raced over and raised the alarm, shouting: "Fire, fire!" as loud as we could.

In no time there were lots of people coming from all directions with buckets, wash basins and other containers, helping to extinguish the fire. Fortunately we had discovered the fire early, before it could spread.

When we arrived back home, I slumped into the chair, feeling quite weak and exhausted.

"I'm not used to working physically any more. This nearly knocked me out."

"You shouldn't have exerted yourself. You still have your head in a bandage, don't forget."

"Thanks for your concern, Heinz, but I'll be all right again tomorrow." "When are you going to see the doctor?"

"The doctor in Berlin said, that I should go as soon as possible." "I don't think you should go while the shooting is going on," he seemed worried. "Go, when it's all over."

"Whenever that may be." Heinz went home after a day full of adventures. "See you again in the morning."

That evening we heard several gunshots firing at irregular intervals. First we heard the whistle of a shell flying over us, then two explosions, one from the canon firing, the other from the exploding shell.

"The Amis must be shooting over Westerhausen towards the town of

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