by Latham, D
"How was the funeral?" She asked softly.
"Surreal, horrible. This has got to be the worst day of my life."
"Have you been to Retinski head office yet? Lewis told me that you are acting MD till Ivan's released."
"Yes, and I wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms. It felt like I was the only one who wanted Ivan back safe and well. They were too busy planning how to fill their boots. The only civilised one was Ranenkiov." Laura looked sympathetic.
"Anything I can do to help?"
"I may need to ask you to fetch me a Starbucks on Monday. I'm terrified to drink anything there, in case it's made with a polonium tea bag. I'm also going to need a Russian translator, one who's signed an NDA. I can't use google translate for legal documents, it's not accurate enough."
"That bad? Oh Jesus Elle, aren't you worried about what you've got yourself into?"
"Yeah, I am a bit. I'm sure it will all be over soon enough." Bloody hope so.
"I hope so for your sake. You really didn't deserve all this today. Well, if you need anything brought up on Monday, just call. I'll sort a translator first thing Monday morning."
I thanked Laura, and she gathered up her handbag and some shopping, and headed home. I glanced at the clock. It was nearly eight. The deli would be shut, and I was starving. I grabbed my handbag, and headed down in the lift. Roger was waiting outside for me. "Good evening Elle. Are you going home?"
"Please." I slid into the car gratefully.
"Jo suggested I take you to Sussex. It's more secure, and it'll stop the girls getting lonely."
I thought about it. I had a load of work to do, reading up on the companies. A fridge full of food, ready and waiting, sounded like heaven. "Are the security teams still guarding it?"
"Oh yes. It's 24/7 there, whether Ivan's present or not. It's the one place I can guarantee you'll be fine. I can arrange security at your flat if you want to stay in London though," he added hastily.
"Let me get my laptop, and we'll go to Sussex." We took just five minutes to get to my flat. I quickly grabbed my laptop, phone charger, and my book, and locked up. Within fifteen minutes I was back in the car, and heading South. On the way, I text Oscar to let him know where I was going, and sank into the seat. I was totally numb, both with shock, and anxiety at the tasks that lay ahead.
Oscar called to say he was on his way down too, and would come round the next day. I scrolled through the emails on my phone, reading one from Marakov to tell me the bank account had been set up, and the money transferred in. I hoped we wouldn't need to use it, but if a delaying tactic was needed, at least it was in place.
The girls greeted me enthusiastically when I arrived, dancing around my feet, looking for fuss. I petted them, before heading into the kitchen to find Jo. She looked shell-shocked, and had clearly been crying. She pushed a glass of wine towards me, and a plate of steaming chicken casserole.
While I was eating, she described the events of that morning, and the night before, when it had become apparent that the plane hadn't taken off. I found out that Nico was Ivan's head of security, and in his absence, Roger was in charge. "Have you heard anymore news?" She asked.
"Yes, at this stage it's confidential, but I'm hopeful. I just want him back in one piece Jo. His staff were bastards to me at headquarters today, and I feel out of my depth, and, and, " a sob broke free, and the dam burst. All the emotions of the day poured out in an unrelenting flow of tears. Jo handed me a square of kitchen roll, and I blew my nose. I had known I'd be fighting to keep everything safe for his return, what I hadn't considered was how bereft and scared I'd be for Ivan himself. I missed him.
"Those men should be ashamed of themselves, they should have been helping you, not behaving like the callous, greedy buggers that they are. Ivan will be appalled at them."
We were interrupted by my phone ringing again. I walked out onto the terrace to answer it."Hi Darius, what's the news?"
"He's been located. Now, the terrorists are getting edgy with the negotiator over the money. Is there any in place yet? We need a distraction to keep them talking for another few hours."
"Yep, money's in place. Let me open my laptop and give you the account number." I went back into the kitchen, opened my laptop, and scrolled through to find the email Marakov had sent. I reeled off the account details to Darius.
"Perfect, this should make them relax somewhat. Bit of luck they'll all be toasting their success with vodka. I'll call as soon as there's news."
"Ok, thanks." I cut the call, and turned to Jo, "he's been located."
"Let’s hope they can get him out in one piece," she replied.
Jo went home at around half ten, and I promised to let her know the moment there was any news. I put my phone on loud, and got into bed to begin reading the reports from the other directors. The two spaniels joined me, squashing their little bodies tightly up against mine, in a sort of doggy group hug.
I was too wired to sleep, so sat up till three in the morning, reading through the myriad complexities of Retinski. Eventually, my brain switched itself off, and I fell into a fitful doze.
I was woken early by my phone ringing. My brain immediately springing into action. "Morning Elle, just thought I'd let you know that a rescue operation is underway. I'll call you again the moment I have concrete news."
"Thanks Darius. Have you been up all night?"
"Caught a few hours on the couch in my office. This cooperation between our security services is a huge deal, so it's important that everyone gets it right.
"I bet. I'll speak to you soon I hope." We said our goodbyes, and he cut the call. I glanced at the bedside clock, it was half five. The two spaniels woke and stretched, before snuggling back to sleep. I had no chance of dozing off again, so got up and went down to the kitchen to make a coffee. I plugged my phone in to charge, and sat at the island with my laptop open, to carry on with the reports, although it was looking increasingly hopeful that I wouldn't need to understand the minutiae of the company quite so quickly. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. My mother's words popped into my head.
Time seemed to pass interminably slowly that morning, as often happens when waiting for news. I was too jumpy to concentrate on the profit and loss reports that I was trying to read, so gave up, and clicked through all the news websites instead, just in case anything was being reported. Even the Reuters news agency had nothing new to say on the matter.
I made another coffee and some toast, which I just picked at. The knot in my stomach had grown to epic proportions, twisting my insides into a painful lump of anxiety. The longer this went on, the more fearful I became, sure that something had gone wrong.
Jo arrived at nine, announcing that she had come to keep me company, and that she couldn't just sit at home watching the news.
"The rescue attempt is underway, I'm waiting for news." I said. "It started at half five this morning, so I'd expected to hear something by now." I didn't want to actually voice my concern that something had gone wrong, but inside, I was certain that it had. It should have all been over hours ago. Jo's eyes filled with tears, as the implication of what I'd just told her sank in. We both jumped when my phone began to ring. I ran outside to answer it.
"Hi Darius. What's the news?"
"He's out. They all are. Five terrorists dead. Sorry it took so long, but they didn't go in straightaway, as there were operational issues. He's aboard his jet heading to Moscow to refuel, so don't expect him to call you."
"Oh thank god he's safe. As long as I know he's ok, I can wait."
"Good, now the story is that Ivan's guards overpowered the terrorists and escaped. It must never come out how this really happened. You understand that?"
"Of course, my lips are sealed."
"Well, I know you're good at keeping secrets.....Ivan is being briefed on board the plane. Apparently he's in good health, and will give a brief press conference in Moscow while he waits for refuelling, so keep the news on, and you might see him for yourself."
"Glad to help, enjoy your weekend."
I went back into the kitchen, "He's out," I yelled at Jo, "on his way to Moscow to refuel. Put the news on, because there should be a press conference. I've got a quick call to make, but yell if he appears." I went back out to the terrace and called Mr Ranenkiov. "It's Elle, I have news. Ivan's free."
There was a stunned silence for a moment. "That's fantastic. My brother in law said that something was happening at the top levels, but he wasn't privy to it, so couldn't get information."
"Apparently he's on his way to Moscow, and will give a press conference, so put your telly on. Also, can you call Marakov and get him to pull the ransom cash back to Retinski please. I'm hoping it wasn't touched."
"Consider it done. Can I ask though Elle, how you know all this?"
"That's confidential I'm afraid."
"I see, well, I don't know who your contacts are, but you must have some pretty powerful people behind you." I stayed silent. "I'll call Marakov, then the other directors. I'll call you back in a little while."
"Ok." I cut the call. Within 30 seconds it rang again. "Hi Oscar, have you heard the news?"
"Yes, just spoke to Darius. Great stuff. Can I come over?"
"Sure, I'll tell Roger to let you in. See you in a bit." I wandered back to the kitchen. "Would you tell Roger that Oscar's on his way over please? I'm gonna nip up and get dressed." Jo was beaming with happiness.
"Do you want some breakfast?"
"No thanks, I had toast earlier, and I'm sure Oscar would have eaten already. Do you know what Ivan's favourite dinner is? I want to cook for him tonight."
Jo thought for a moment. "He likes roast beef the most, I think. Tell you what, once I've seen this press conference, I'll nip to Waitrose and pick up everything you need for a roast."
"Great. He's probably gonna be worn out and sick of cabbage soup, so I'll spoil him a bit."
I ran upstairs, and threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and ran back down, just as Oscar arrived. "Hey, great news huh? Come and have a coffee while we wait for the news conference."
"You look exhausted Elle, I bet you didn't get a wink of sleep. Hey girls, how's my favourite spaniels?" He bent down to pick up both spaniels, one in each arm, and let them lick his face enthusiastically. I watched in fascination, shocked that he seemed to genuinely like them. I would never in a million years had Oscar down as liking animals. "Shall we see if we can watch your Daddy on the telly?" he crooned at them, smiling as their ears perked up at the word 'Daddy'.
We all went into the lounge, and I flicked on the big TV. Jo brought in cups of coffee, and Oscar played with the dogs while we waited. They seemed to adore him, rolling around at his command, and giving paw.
Chapter 2
Ivan looked a little tired, and his suit a bit crumpled at the press conference, which was in Russian, with subtitles. I drank in the sight of his beautiful face, not quite believing my own eyes that he was actually alive, free, and in one piece. He briefly described how his guards had waited for the ideal opportunity to overpower the terrorists utilising the superior training gained from their time in the Russian military.
He fielded a few questions from the journalists, before telling them that he would be heading straight back to London to get on with running Retinski Industries, even though he would have loved a few days holiday in his beloved Moscow. He told the reporters that it wouldn't put him off returning to Russia, we'll see about that, and he hoped that terrorists would think twice before attacking people, given that he had proven that Russian military training had made his guards almost invincible.
I saw Nico in the background, looking a little uncomfortable as Ivan spoke. He thanked everyone for their concern, and stood up, saying that his plane would be ready for take off in a few minutes.
As soon as the press conference was over, Jo announced that she was going to Waitrose. Oscar and I decided to take the girls out for a walk through the woods. We walked for a while in companionable silence, before Oscar spoke, "Are you feeling a bit better now?"
"Oh god, yes. I was in full meltdown last night, what with the funeral, the kidnapping, and the hassle I had at Retinski. I came back here and just cried. It all just felt like too much."
"It's what your life will be like with Ivan.... Complicated."
"So you keep telling me."
"You must be able to see it, I hate to think of you living in fear of your life." Oscar spoke softly, but with conviction. I thought about my paranoia the night before in the Retinski offices.
"I know. In a lot of ways I know you're right, but I need to stay the course. Part of my meltdown was the fear that I'd never see him again."
"Are you in love with him?"
I glanced up at Oscar, "Yes, I think so. I have feelings for him."
"I think so, means you're not. When you're in love, you know. It's irrefutable when it happens to you."
"Maybe I'm not an emotional person," I challenged. I was certain that my hesitation with Ivan was down to recent events, and not a lack of feelings for the man himself.
"That's not true Elle, you're quite normal emotionally," he paused, "when you look ahead, how do you see your future?"
I frowned as I thought about it. "Always on my own. I never had daydreams about husbands and babies, if that's what you're asking. It was always just me, with a good job, and a comfortable life. I like that Ivan breaks down my barriers, you know, by refusing to be fussed about my hang ups. He makes me feel normal."
"Didn't I do that for you?"
"No, I felt ashamed of being poor, and as I said before, you found me a bit distasteful. I never felt good enough, so it was almost as stressful being with you, as it is worrying that Ivan's mates being free and easy with the polonium. I can protect myself against them, I refused to eat or drink anything at Retinski yesterday. I can't protect my self esteem from being with a man who is more comfortable with male genitals than mine." I tried to choose my words carefully. "There are times that I wish I was with you, and I want to run into your arms and start again, when I realise I got a lot wrong about you, but then I worry that I'll never be enough for you." I stared at the ground, wondering what he'd say. He stayed quiet for a while.
Eventually he spoke. "I would change for you. I would treat you the way I should have treated you from the start. If you are truly in love with Ivan, then I'll just worship you from afar, but if you're not, or you're unsure, then as your friend, I'd urge you to get yourself away from him."
"You're a great friend," I said, not wanting to say more than that.
"I try to be."
The girls came racing back over, breaking the tension. We headed back to the house. I wanted to shower and change before Ivan returned, and Oscar said he had a builder coming to discuss some repairs to the castle.
Roger saw Oscar out, before informing me that Ivan would be landing in approximately four hours time at Gatwick. "It will take us approximately half an hour to get to the south terminal. I'm assuming you want to meet him?"
"Oh definitely, I'll be ready by three." I made a cup of tea, and checked through my emails. The other directors had each mailed their relief at the situation being resolved, their tone entirely different from the day before. I bet they're cacking themselves.
I watched the news conference again online, gazing at his beautiful face, trying to understand the feelings I had for him. I'd no sooner closed my laptop when Jo arrived back with bags of shopping. She busied herself preparing everything, waving off my offer of help. I worked out that we'd be home around half four, so she timed everything to be almost ready shortly after that.
I showered, did my hair, and applied some makeup, wanting to look my best. In the end I was ready by half two, and had to endure watching the clock for the last half hour before it was time to set off.
Roger took the Bentley, and we pulled directly into the private flight a
rea of the south terminal, and were waved straight through the security gates. Ivan had been worldwide news, so I figured the staff at Gatwick weren't going to get picky about having his car ready and waiting.
I paced around the seating area while we waited, probably getting on Roger's nerves. Eventually I was rewarded by the sight of Ivan and his entourage striding through the walkway. He looked grim, and frankly rather angry. I hesitated, not wanting to throw myself into his arms until I was sure it would be welcomed. He fixed me with his laser stare as he strode towards me.
"Elle, thank you for coming to meet me. I have rather a lot to ask you on the way back to the house."
I stood rather uncertainly, before trotting along behind him to the car. He looked furious. We slid into the back of the Bentley, and set off. Ivan immediately raised the privacy screen.
"Did you send in the SAS?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"That's confidential. Are you not pleased to be home?" I was shocked by his anger, and his attitude.
"Of course I am, I'm just wondering what the fuck happened. One minute Marakov was negotiating, the next, men in black balaclavas burst in."
I frowned. "Marakov wasn't negotiating. What gave you that idea?"
"The terrorists said Marakov put fifty mill in an account for them."
"Oh yeah, I got him to do that, but he wasn't negotiating. He was too busy trying to persuade me to grant enhanced share options and bonuses to the board. If anything, he sounded as though he didn't want you back alive, none of them did. It's why I chose the route that I did."
"He would have dealt with it, I didn't need you rushing in to save me," he said sulkily.
I stared open mouthed. "Nobody was dealing with it Ivan. It seemed like I was the only person mildly concerned about you. I'll play you the recording so you can hear it for yourself. Now I'm sorry if I stepped out of line, but you know what? I had a bit of a shit time too. If I did the wrong thing, I can only apologise." A thick silence spread between us, and I stared out of the window, trying not to cry. It wasn't the ecstatic homecoming I'd expected.
