The World's Worst Mothers by Sabine Ludwig Read Free Book Online Page A

… eh … Annas … are dolls?’ asked Vibke Paulsen.
    â€˜No way!’ Kruschke contradicted her. ‘They can do everything that a mother can, only better: cleaning, putting the washing machine on, sticking a ready meal in the microwave …’
    â€˜They can’t cook?’
    â€˜They can boil water, but a proper meal that must be carefully prepared and tasted – well, I’m still working on those sensors. In future, every Anna will be programmed so that they can cook everything from good plain food to five-star cuisine.’
    â€˜Cooking is not important,’ Wohlfarth interrupted. ‘It’s enough if the children get their favourite food served up to them, and in most cases that’s just pizza or chips. What’s much more important is whether your Annas can help the children with their homework.’
    â€˜Certainly,’ said Kruschke, slightly irritated. ‘They know the whole curriculum from first to tenth class. They can even make Christmas decorations and crochet pot holders.’
    â€˜And can they read aloud?’ asked Vibke Paulsen.
    â€˜All my Annas have a built-in character-recognition program. A speech module processes everything and the Annas read in a pleasant voice.’
    â€˜Aha,’ said Ramona Bottle, though she hadn’t understood a word of what he’d said.
    â€˜And how do we get these wonderful creatures off the island?’ asked Sven-Ole.
    â€˜On the Margarethe, of course,’ said Wohlfarth.
    â€˜But then everyone will see!’ said Vibke Paulsen. ‘What can we tell people?’
    â€˜What will people think if they see so many blondes all at once?’ asked Wohlfarth. ‘They will think they are models. You should just tell everyone that I’ve set up a school for models. These ladies are the first ones, leaving us after successful training.’
    He turned to Ramona Bottle. ‘Is the company sign I ordered ready?’
    â€˜It should be here by tomorrow at the latest,’ replied Ramona eagerly. ‘The letters WIMI in green neon, as requested.’
    â€˜What’s that supposed to mean?’ asked Sven-Ole, slow on the uptake.
    â€˜Wohlfarth’s Institute for Mother Improvement,’ replied Wohlfarth shortly. ‘But officially the letters stand for Wohlfart’s Institute for Model Instruction.’
    â€˜Nobody could ever work out what it really means,’ said Sven-Ole.
    â€˜That’s the point,’ said Wohlfarth.
    â€˜But don’t you think there’ll be talk when all these women that nobody has ever seen on the island start leaving the factory?’ asked Vibke Paulsen.
    â€˜We’ll just say they wanted to remain anonymous, and anyway, there is nothing less suspicious than attractive blondes.’ Wohlfarth laughed.
    This rare laugh gave Ramona Bottle the courage to ask the question that nobody had so far asked. ‘And what about the other way around? I mean, how are the mothers going to get here?’
    â€˜Students, please,’ said Wohlfarth. ‘Mothers – proper mothers, deserving of the title …’ He pointed again at the portrait of his mother on the wall. ‘They won’t be mothers until they leave us.’
    Looking at the three enquiring faces, it occurred to Wohlfarth that he still hadn’t answered their question.
    â€˜There is certainly a small logistical problem. We only have one window of six hours while the unfortunate children are at school. In this time frame, the swap must take place.’
    â€˜You’re not thinking of …’ Vibke Paulsen swallowed, ‘using force?’
    Wohlfarth smiled maliciously and patted the pile of papers. ‘Fortunately, that won’t be necessary. Every one of them will come here of her own free will. I can assure you of that.’

    Kruschke had been working round the clock for the last few days. The programming had proved very difficult.