Max Meyer was in Steerborough to see if he might do a painting of houses. How closely the town resembled Southwold, he might have thought had he been less self-obsessed. Was it really eight years since the end of the war? The pain never left him.

* * *

Lily looked round the cottage she had rented for the summer. Steerborough was the ideal spot for her research; she would never want for an organic loaf. She started on the first Lehmann letter, dated 1931. "My dear Elsa, I am here in Frankfurt because I am a very important architect. You are so lucky that I love you. Tell me you adore me. Klaus." Should she phone Nick? Would he ever say he loved her? It was so hard being such a victim.

* * *

Gertrude interrupted Max's solipsism. "I've invited the Lehmanns over to dinner." Max nodded. They should be able to share his pain as they too had suffered as Jews in Nazi Germany. Why could he not include the Lehmanns' house in his painting?

* * *

"I've got to go," said Nick. "There's work to do if we want to win the contract. Work for me. I need someone to sharpen my pencil." Lily sobbed. He had driven the 100 miles to Steerborough merely for a fuck. How she longed to be an architect like him, and yet how she longed to be different. She went for a walk on the beach. A salt-of-the-earth artisan walked by. Maybe she could be happy.

* * *

"Oh Elsa, my ears are hurting so much," Max cried. "Only you who have also suffered can understand." Elsa paused. "Klaus is away. Come with me to the Sea House and fill me with love."

* * *

Lily smiled at Grae, the strong, silent wife-beater and suddenly realised he wasn't a wife-beater after all. Though not artistic, he was still sensitive and soulful. "Come into my tent," he growled. "Fill me with love," she whispered.

* * *

Gertrude stared at Max's painting. A week ago it had been lifeless; now it teemed with humanity. And there was the Lehmanns' house.

At the Sea House Elsa took Max in her arms. "I am with child."

* * *

Lily lay in Grae's arms. "Am I with child?" she wondered. It was strange how little guilt she felt about Nick. Maybe she wouldn't always be a victim, after all. "Oh look, you've got your period," said Grae.

* * *

The sea walls broke and the waters rose in the Sea House. Max and Elsa held each other tight as they heard the rescuers approach. "Dear Max, Klaus died rescuing you, but Elsa has had twins, Sincerely, Gertrude."

* * *

"I'm going back to my wife," grunted Grae. Lily tried not to cry. She rang Nick. "I've always loved you," he said.

The digested read ... digested

Victims of a parallel world unite in Southwold