by Lotte Moore
“My mother will be happy to greet you. She loves me bringing people to her dacha and enjoys cooking wonderful dishes. The only problem is I don’t have a piano there for you to practise on, but a neighbour has. People in the country are so friendly. They’d leave it in a field for you to play if you wanted!”
Theo stretched his arm across Sergei’s shoulder. “You look after me well,” he said, patting him. “Ah, these magnificent birches—they’re so beautiful!”
As they came out of the forest the warm sun dazzled them.
“Here we are. Look! There’s my best girl waving by the gate.”
A stocky lady of about fifty-five with a coiled plait came out to greet them. She didn’t speak a word of English.
Two hours later, sitting round the dining table enjoying an enormous bowl of borsch, Sergei realised how relaxed Theo was. Sergei’s mother hummed a song, which he took up and began swaying to.
Laughter and hand-clapping resonated round the wooden house as vodka flowed. A full moon stretched through the open door. Overwhelming tenderness flowed between them.
“Tomorrow we have a banya party in the back garden,” announced Sergei after the meal. Theo looked perplexed. “You don’t know what that is? Oh, then I’ll explain. All the men in the family pop in and out of our wooden sauna outside. We drink vodka and have fun beating each other with birch twigs. You’ll love it!”
“It sounds great,” Theo said. “But I need to practice for the concert.”
Sergei shook his head. “You need some time off away from work and family. Just relax and enjoy this beautiful country for once.”
“I don’t know…” Theo said, feeling guilty. He should be home with his wife and children.
Sergei placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You work hard, Theo. Just let loose and enjoy yourself.”
Theo gazed out of the window. He did work hard and all the travelling took a toll on his body. He never did have a chance to just relax and enjoy the moment. He turned back to Sergei.
“I look forward to the banya party.”
*
Theo woke slowly, forgetting briefly where he was. Stretching both hands, he felt the urge to get to a keyboard. He got up, stood by the window and watched Sergei help his mother move garden furniture around, then pick some flowers, which he handed to her.
What an amazing person he is and so caring. I’m lucky he’s my agent and a good friend too, thought Theo as he walked out to join them.
“Here’s the sauna for our lunchtime fun. You’ll meet a lot of friends today.” Sergei laughed.
“Can I use your neighbour’s piano for a few hours?” asked Theo, the sunlight making him blink.
“Yes, it’s only an upright, but I’m sure they’ll welcome you. Come, let’s go through here.”
A few hours later, Theo returned tired but satisfied with his practice. People started arriving around noon. Vodka and caviar on blinis were consumed freely. Eventually, everyone started undressing.
Sergei’s mother had gone indoors to prepare the evening meal and various naked figures sat on the benches in the sauna, laughing and languorously tossing back more vodka before clambering outside the hot wooden box to roll in the last snows of spring. Almost to his own surprise, Theo ended up enjoying himself a good deal.
*
The following morning, Sergei took Theo on a long walk through the nearby forest. Occasionally a warm shaft of sunlight penetrated the dense foliage. When they came to a clearing Sergei talked excitedly about Theo’s future, his ambitions and plans for the next six months.
Theo listened and began to feel a certain security about the plans and recognised how reliant he was becoming on Sergei. It was reassuring that no anxieties seemed to be in the way of his very calm, warm feelings in Sergei’s presence.
They sat in silence, feeling the sun caressing their backs. Sergei lay on the earth, legs splayed out, whilst Theo perched on a stump head raised to the sunlight.
Later, they ambled back to the dacha. A strong smell of herbs lingered in the kitchen where a huge mixed salad with various coloured leaves had been prepared.
Theo turned to Sergei. “This is such a beautiful weekend, thank you. But I am missing a real piano, I’m afraid.”
Sergei laughed. “Don’t worry. We’ll drive back in a couple of hours after I’ve helped Mama stack the logs. I’m glad you came Theo. I haven’t seen you this relaxed… well, ever!”
Chapter Nine
Aylesbury
Jonty was busy examining saplings and pleased to see they were free from blight. He looked up to see Cheryl gently guiding a long trail of ponies with giggling riders across the field to the paddock. He waved but she was too absorbed to notice. How he loved his Cherry Berry.
Later, when they met for a picnic lunch of local produce, he said, “You had a big class this morning. I waved but you didn’t see me.”
“Yes, there were some nervous ones, but even they have such courage,” Cheryl replied. “If they can’t do something they go on and on trying.”
“It’s wonderful what you do. I don’t know how you have the patience,” Jonty said hugging her.
*
Jonty heard an urgent rapping on the kitchen door at 7am and tiptoed downstairs, half dressed, with his face covered in shaving cream.
“They’ve gone,” said Jacob anxiously.
“Who’s gone?” asked Jonty.
“Them sheep in Top Field—just vanished! The gate was open.”
“Wait while I get dressed,” replied Jonty.
The two men walked off up the hill to an empty field.
“Stolen, I reckon,” said Jonty, clenching his fists. “Look at these tyre marks, it must have been a big van.”
“I didn’t ’ear a thing,” said Jacob worriedly.
“I must ring the police.”
Jonty dialled while pacing round the tracks.
“Are you covered by insurance?” asked the desk officer when he got through.
“No, I didn’t think it was worth the cost,” Jonty replied.
Then, a minute later, “Yes, we’ll wait for you here.”
After giving them directions he called Cheryl. “Bring us a thermos, love. We’ve not had breakfast, so a couple of bacon sandwiches would be welcome too. All the sheep in Top Field have gone—every single one. We’re waiting for the police.”
“Oh no! That’s awful,” cried Cheryl.
Half an hour later, two officers arrived in a Range Rover, just as Jonty and Jacob were finishing their sandwiches.
“There’s been a series of sheep rustlings in Buckingham-shire,” said one of the policemen. “We haven’t caught anyone yet. Some abattoir must be making a lot of money out of these thefts.”
“What a fool I was not to have insured them, but the premium was very expensive,” moaned Jonty.
“Yus, I was really fond of ‘em sheep but at least the ones who’d already lambed are flourishing in Middle Field down by the forest,” Jacob said trying to reassure his boss.
“I’ve got an idea,” said Jonty. “You know that old wooden caravan up in the corner of the yard. Would you mind sleeping in it for a couple of nights if we pulled it into the Middle Field by the wood?”
“Yes, Mr Jonty, I wouldn’t mind stopping them rustling anymore, and I’ll take my gun, too, if only to give ’em a fright.”
“I’ll get a good breakfast sent up to you each morning.” Jonty laughed.
*
Jacob woke to see the headlights of two vehicles slowly coming up the track. It was 4am. He scrambled to the caravan door, gun in hand, as it crept up the track. He jumped down and yelled, “What the ’ell are you doing here? This is private land. I’m calling the police!”
The vans revved up, turned around and went back down the hill.
“K744 RLM,” repeated Jacob to himself.
Breathless, he ran down to the farmhouse to tell Jonty what had happened.
“Well done Jacob! It’s lucky they didn’t harm y
ou. Let’s ring the police right away. They might catch them on the main road if they’re quick.”
Cheryl appeared in a patchwork dressing gown. “What on earth’s going on?” she asked.
“Clever old Jacob caught them trying to steal from the Middle Field and he’s got down the number of the truck,” explained Jonty.
Cheryl hoped the sheep rustling would be resolved before Beady arrived, she couldn’t imagine how his mother would react to the idea of thieves on their land.
By the time he’d finished with the police, who promised to be in touch with any leads, Jacob went back up to his caravan, while Cheryl had fallen asleep in the armchair.
Dawn broke as Jonty walked down towards Middle Field. The sun peeped above the old barn roof and began to spread over the paddock. He could see someone had cut another chain on the gate and their tyre tread was very similar to the previous marks.
Fancy coming back for more so soon, he thought to himself.
Chapter Ten
Notting Hill
In her office, Serena was rushing to assemble various materials for the Qatar Embassy job. She’d bought a vast amount of brocade and silk, which was already being made into curtains and loose covers for the sofas. Abdul Tendri hadn’t yet paid the agreed advance and her outstanding bills were mounting up.
She was beginning to flag but was determined to remain cheerful. After all, the last thing she wanted was to upset Gems when there was so much work to be done.
At home, Serena was on a short fuse through sheer exhaustion, snapping at the children and argumentative with Lang who had recovered from his virus and back at work, but she felt he still had a deathly look to him. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Lang with a spring in his step.
“You mustn’t do any more work until they’ve paid you the agreed advance,” he stressed. “Explain how you’ve had to fork out for all the materials. Don’t get yourself into money problems.”
She knew Lang was giving her good advice but was fearful in case they withdrew the contract and she was left with heaps of expensive material.
“Mummy, I haven’t seen you at teatime for days now. Poor Freddie cries himself to sleep even though Maggie reads him three stories and only reads me one,” said Alicia sadly. “And Daddy comes back so late we never see him either.”
Serena put her arms round Alicia, realising how she’d forfeited the school run and her usual time with the kids because of the Embassy job.
“Darling, I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy, but Mummy has an important job that has to be finished in two weeks. It’s like you being asked to do a week’s homework in one night,” she said, stroking Alicia’s forehead. “Come on, let’s play our favourite duet together.”
Just as they finished, Freddie came in and threw himself onto Serena’s lap, thumping hard on the piano.
“Who’d like toffee ice-cream?” Serena asked.
As both children rushed to the freezer, Lang wandered in from the garden.
“Oh Daddy, you’re here too. Will you read me some more Jungle Book stories?” Alicia asked.
The doorbell interrupted everyone.
“I’ve got a letter for Miss Mayne,” explained a courier. “Could you sign here?”
Serena read the letter and exploded. “The Embassy want to change the gold velvet upholstery on the two large armchairs to a maroon and gold brocade. It will be impossible to complete the contract on time if these changes are made now.”
She hurried to her laptop, dashed off a reply and added a demand for the overdue progress payment.
As she pressed ‘Send’ and flopped back in her chair, Lang put an arm round her shaky shoulders and murmured softly, “Let’s have a drink in the garden before I go up to read to Alicia.”
He kissed her on the top of her head and Serena smiled warily.
*
Serena picked up the curtains, which looked superb, and proudly delivered them to the Embassy. Several staff were summoned to hang them for His Excellency to see at lunchtime.
Serena arranged the drapes until they fell elegantly, then stood back and waited with everyone else for the arrival of the Ambassador and Mr Tendri.
“My goodness, these curtains are splendid,” said the Ambassador. “What an improvement, Miss Mayne.”
“You certainly have a flare for colour,” added Abdul Tendri, handing an envelope of money to Serena. “And thank you for accommodating our… how shall I put it? Our last-minute change of mind about the loose covers.”
“I’ll be bringing them in a couple of days,” she said calmly, pleased with the elegant curtains, which gave the room an almost regal effect.
Back at the office where Serena was handed a page of messages, she immediately rang the upholstery team in Birmingham to ask when the loose covers would be ready.
“There’ll be a slight delay as we’re short staffed,” the manager replied regretfully. “But we should be able to deliver most of them by Saturday, or perhaps Friday, if it’s urgent. The two large chairs won’t be ready for a week. They’re more like thrones and we’ve got to use special stitching.”
Serena put the phone down and turned to Gems. “They’re impossible people to work for! I’ve only been paid for the materials so far, but I guess it’s good money compared to my usual clients.” She drew breath. “Now, I must dictate some urgent letters, Gems. So many people are clamouring for quotes and ideas. That article in Harpers about me working at the Embassy has certainly propelled me into the big time.”
“Yes, it’s exciting. You’ve had so many new people asking for appointments,” agreed Gems.
“It is exciting, isn’t it?” Serena said, smiling. “I’m not going to stress out about the Embassy. It will all work out, I’m sure.”
Chapter Eleven
City of London
Lang’s office
“Hello Mr Mayne. Could you drop in and see Mr Calder at 10.30am tomorrow?”
Lang hesitated at the end of the telephone line. “Err, yes, I think I can manage that,” he replied to Calder’s secretary.
He couldn’t sleep that night worrying about what his boss wanted to speak to him about and he got himself into a panic.
The next morning, he tentatively knocked on Calder’s door.
“Ah, morning Lang. Come in and sit down. With this market so rotten we’ve got to make sure all our accounts are paid up and the loans are well covered. Have you sorted out that client of yours who’s been so slow in paying?” he asked bluntly.
“Yes, I think so. I’ll check and make sure.”
“I want everyone to check all their clients and we’ll go through them at the next board meeting.”
Lang left the office feeling extremely anxious. He knew that his boss was suspicious.
A few hours later, he arrived home edgy and agitated. Serena was out. Maggie was feeding the children. Benjie was screaming.
He walked into his home office wishing he could talk to someone about his problem, but he knew he couldn’t. Serena would be so disappointed in him and he couldn’t deal with that. No, he was going to sort this out himself. But how?
Chapter Twelve
Moscow
Theo had begun practising the first movement of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2; it needed extra attention due to the tricky rhythm. After an hour, he found himself getting cross with his fingers and decided to go and listen to the orchestra’s rehearsal.
“What’s up? You’re looking worried,” said Murel, breaking off at the sight of Theo’s dejected face.
“I don’t know. I can’t get into the 1st movement,” he replied.
“Well, listen to us for a while… give your head a rest,” suggested Murel, the ever-inspiring conductor.
His charm soothed Theo as he sat and listened to the orchestra for an hour, then walked more serenely back to his studio.
Sergei wandered in some hours later and sat quietly to one side.
“It’s not going well today. I need pushing.” Theo
sighed. Sergei put his hands on his client’s shoulders and gently massaged them. “Ah, that’s good. I’m beginning to rely on you for everything.”
The afternoon rehearsal was a challenge as Theo had to perform the 1st movement and synchronise with the orchestra who hadn’t heard him play that particular concerto before. Murel urged him on and by that evening, the 1st movement was powerful and much improved.
When he got back to Baba, Theo flopped down onto the sofa. “Phew, what an exhausting rehearsal. My fingers just didn’t behave today.”
“You’re working too hard,” Baba said bluntly, as the mobile rang in his pocket.
“Hello, dear Vivi, how lovely to hear you. What? Clever girl, coming top in Maths and singing, let me talk to her,” said Theo. “Hello my girl, you are doing well at school.”
“Yes, and I’m singing a solo lullaby at assembly,” explained Georgie. “I made Mummy a chocolate cake with flowers on it for her birthday today. Auntie Serena’s taking her out so Alicia’s coming over.”
“Can you put her on again? Hi Vivi. I’ve got a surprise for you. Two seats in a box for the Vienna concert.”
“Oh, how wonderful. Who’s the other seat for?” Vivi asked excitedly.
“Georgie, as it’s holiday time and I miss her,” Theo said. He smiled as Vivi audibly passed this information on.
“Beady is off to stay with Jonty today by the way. We’ve had a lovely time,” said Vivi.
“I’m really sorry to have missed her. Maybe she’d like to come to the Paris concert?” asked Theo.
“She might enjoy that, I’ll ask her. I must go darling, I think Jonty’s just arrived to pick her up.”
Vivi put down the phone.
“Daddy didn’t wish you Happy Birthday did he?” said Georgie.
Vivi took in a deep breath and forced a smile on her face. “He’s very busy darling,” replied Vivi.
Ten days into rehearsals, Theo felt much more confident. Sergei made sure he wasn’t driving himself too hard and lent him some of his favourite CDs of opera and poetry to help him relax.
