A note from Henk Coljee

Dear Lya,

My wife is visiting her family for a few days and I’m taking this opportunity to write about something that’s been on my mind.

On October 24th we sent two parcels with provisions. One to you and one to your mother. Did you receive them? Did you let your father and mother read my letter? I’m returning your card to Kees (enclosed). He’s still with us and sleeps here from time to time.

Let me come to the point. My wife made the trip to Westerbork and handed in three parcels at the gate to the camp. So they’re not from Kees as you first thought. You thanked him in your card, but for no reason. She, and not Kees, also sent the telegram. She does everything she can for you and your mother. But I have to tell you that she can only continue to do so on the condition that Kees knows nothing about it, absolutely nothing. It is most urgent that you bear that in mind. He doesn’t know that my wife was in Westerbork and that we’re still in touch with one another.

The reason for all this urgency is that Kees has been a lot of trouble as of late. One minute he’s kind and the next he’s threatening. It’s the same day in day out. He’s determined to have your things. We told him that you had packed everything and had it delivered to a girlfriend, that there was nothing of yours in the house. He searched high and low but found nothing. Now he thinks it was all sent somewhere else before you left. He found out where the speakers from the dance school were, which you had previously brought to a friend. He traced the man and told him you had asked him to look after them for you. Your friend handed them over and Kees sold them for 150 guilders. According to estimates they were worth around 700 guilders.

Dear Miss Lya, please do not be angry at me for writing this letter.

Many warm greetings, especially to your father and mother.

Henk Coljee