Germany, 1918.

School was fun. At lunchtime, we played football. In class, we listened to Sister Vogel tell stories. And there was lots of praying. We prayed thanks that winter was over. We prayed that God help guide Kaiser Wilhelm and Ober-Ost Hindenburg and General Ludendorff –that was the hardest prayer to remember. And we prayed that Germany would win the war soon.

I’d close my eyes and squeeze my hands together for that prayer. When the war was over my brother Karl could come home.

Today they were going to have a raffle, to collect money for the war. I put my hand up and bought two tickets with the money mum gave me.

In assembly they announced that Ben’s brother had joined the army. Everybody clapped. Sister Vogel patted Ben on the shoulder. Then two baskets were brought in front of the Principal. The Principal said that the one on the right was milk chocolate, the one on the left was white chocolate.

“Eww. I hate white chocolate,” I whispered.

“Yeah, it’s gross.” Ben whispered back. Sister Vogel saw him, but she let him be, maybe because his brother had just joined the army.

I remembered this was the weekend that Karl was coming home to visit. I hadn’t seen him for over a year! Could he stay a week? A few days? I hoped he had time to play football with me.

“Heinz Goldberger,” the Principal called.

Everyone was looking at me. I stepped forward. The whole assembly was clapping. I won!

“Congratulations,” said the Principal. “Which basket would you like?”

I licked my lips. I imagined the sweet, dark taste of the milk chocolate. But I chose the white chocolate.

“You picked the wrong one, stupid.” said Ben.

Even Mum was surprised when she walked me home.

Karl arrived late that Saturday. I got to stay up. Mum kissed him at the door. He said hello to me and went to his room. He began putting his things away. He’d got much tidier after joining the army.

We asked questions but Karl wouldn’t talk to us. “Nothing to say.” My mother tried to move him. I made jokes. He didn’t laugh. He looked like Ben from school after he’d been caned by Sister Vogel.

I thought maybe Karl was playing a game, one of those games where you try not to smile or laugh for the longest. Mum put me to bed.

The next day Karl was still winning the game. I went and got the basket.

“I won the Easter raffle!” I said. “I kept it all for you.”

He looked down, took an egg, and unwrapped it.

Karl smiled. “Ah, white chocolate. My favourite.”