Severine considered making the crossing with refugees, hiding in the back of a lorry. But, she reasoned, that would be the main focus of the border guards and therefore should be discounted. They made for the port of Cherbourg, as they drew near Solomon and Natasha were confined again to the boot. They had opted for the high-speed crossing, at just over two hours it was the best choice considering that Solomon and Natasha would have to stay in the boot the entire time. The French side provided little in the way of inspection. Severine was waved onto the ferry and pointed to where she should park. She clicked the boot open, just slightly, so as to provide ventilation for them before leaving to join the other passengers on the upper deck.
About an hour into the crossing, the smell was becoming intolerable. Natasha had soiled herself, but hadn't made a sound. Solomon was proud, but also concerned about the smell. In their confinement, it was so strong they were both starting to gasp for air. She also started to worry that someone might notice the smell and get curious. In her mind, there was no other option. We will have to leave and get Natasha cleaned up. Solomon pulled back the blankets on top of them and let her eyes adjust to the slight increase in light. She listened intently but could hear nothing above the thrum of the engines and the roar of the water as the large catamaran cut through the water at high speed. She slowly raised the boot lid, waiting again for her eyes to adjust. She peeked out, and seeing no one about, climbed out before helping Natasha. There was a door about thirty feet away, above it was the international green exit sign. The door was unlocked and they stole up the stairs to the level above.
There were a lot of people on this level, just milling about as people do when they have time on their hands. Those who walked close by scrunched up their noses when they were assaulted by the smell. Better find a toilet, and quick. They didn't have to go far, and once inside Solomon helped Natasha undress. Luckily, her knickers had withstood the worst of it, they went in the bin. Her trousers she rinsed under the hot tap and dried them under the hand dryer. After Natasha was dressed, they headed back towards the stairs to the car deck. As they approached the door to the stairs, a passing member of the crew called to them.
'I'm sorry you can't go down to the vehicle level until we dock.'
'But I have to get something from my car.' Solomon pleaded.
'It will have to wait. It’s only another hour and we will be docking.'
Solomon didn't push the point, didn't want to make any kind of scene. She led Natasha by her hand and entered one of the lounges. The smell of freshly cooked food hit them instantly. It would be torture to sit here and not to have something to eat. They joined the queue.
They ate and relaxed, but Solomon kept a constant eye on the time. After fifty minutes, she could wait no longer. We have to get back down there before the others. It is time to go. They walked back out into the corridor and opened the door to the deck below. No one stopped them this time. They crept down the stairs and opened the lower door. Solomon peeked out, all was clear. They snuck back into the boot of their car and Solomon pulled the lid down on them. As she drew the blankets over them, she let out a sigh of relief, confident they had not been spotted.
The security officer monitoring the CCTV turned to his boss. He had just watched a woman and child climb into the boot of a Mercedes.
'What do you think?'
'Leave it to the customs agents. Let them know the details. No point in us making a fuss.'
Severine joined the queue of people working their way down the stairs to their cars. She had purchased some wine from the shop and she put this in the boot.
'We are at the port now. Stay quiet until I get you out.'
She closed the boot lid and got into the car. There was more impatience with the drivers getting off than there had been boarding. Their Mercedes nearly hit twice by others rushing to leave. Eventually they made it outside and joined the queue for customs. She was pleased to note that again most were just being waved through. She pulled forward, level with the customs agent.
'Good day madam. Your papers please.'
Severine handed them over.
'Travelling alone?'
'Yes'
'Where are you headed?'
'To London, I'm visiting my brother.'
'I see. What have you got in your boot?'
'Just some wine. I bought it on the trip over.'
'I need to see it, please pull in over there.' He pointed to a lay-by.
Severine's heart stopped. Perhaps he will just see the wine and the blankets. It was a slim hope but she clung resolutely to it. She pulled into the lay-by and switched off her engine. The border guard asked her to step out of her vehicle and open the boot. Two more customs agents appeared. No, she realised, those are armed police. They stood either side of her car. She opened the boot with her key and stood to one side showing the guard that there was nothing to see.
'Please remove the blankets.' He asked.
'They are just blankets. I use them for picnics.' Solomon pleaded.
'The blankets. Remove them for me.'
There was no point in protesting further she realised. The game, for whatever reason, was up.
'Look I can explain.' She said, not even convincing herself as she pulled back the blankets to reveal her stowaways.
They were ordered out of the car and all three were placed under arrest. It then became something of a blur. The handcuffs, the questions, the holding cells. Natasha becoming distraught at being separated from her mother, the appropriate adult she didn't take to in the slightest. The immigration officers got a hit on the international database. Solomon was pulled back in for questioning.
'So you are Solomon Bondarenko and you are wanted for murder'
The words rang through her mind. Seeing it on posters was one thing, but having an official state it as a matter of fact was another entirely. There was no point in denying it either. She was wanted for murder and the fact he knew her name meant that she had been positively identified.
'We have informed the Russian authorities and they are keen to speak with you. Very keen. I would suggest that if there is anything you want to say you should say it now.'
He seemed genuinely concerned. However he gave no indication that he could affect events. She knew that the deportation order would already be going through the system and guessed that by the time the Russians arrived she and Natasha would be taken straight to the airport and be back in Russia within hours. She started to cry. Not for herself but for her little angel. Natasha would no doubt be placed in the hands of her grandfather and knowing what she knew now that was a fate worse than death. The immigration officer offered her a tissue, which she took gratefully. She wiped her tears and blew her nose. She looked up at him.
'I didn't do it. I had nothing to do with it. I never even met him. I am trying to escape from my father.'
The immigration officer looked at her. His heart went out to her, guessing that she was the victim of domestic violence. Memories of his own father flooded his mind. The times he hid under the stairs. The shouting. Things breaking. His own punishments. He wanted to fling open the door and look the other way. However, his time in the job had hardened him. He had seen too many people, heard too many stories. Found too many to be lies. He would do what he could for her and for her daughter. However, that was limited.
'Is there anyone you want to call?'
'No there isn't. However, if you could let Severine make a call...and please tell her the Russians are coming. Please.'
There's no harm in the truth I always say, he thought to himself.
'OK. I will. I need to return you to your cell in the meantime though.'
'May I see my daughter please?'
'Of course.' There was no harm in this, Solomon had been positively identified as her mother, and the social worker had confirmed that the girl had not been mistreated.
'Although I think we can do better than that. How about I put the two of you together?'
Solomon's fa
ce positively beamed. 'Thank you so much. You are a good man.'
As the officer opened the cell door Natasha ran into her mother's arms. Solomon hugged her deeply. The officer smiled to himself and closed the door. He was allowed a little discretion and he had used it wisely he felt.
Severine was taken back into the interview room. He explained about the murder charge and that the Russians were coming to collect Solomon and Natasha. They had no interest in her and he was awaiting instructions as to how they would proceed. Likely, she would be charged, with what he couldn't say.
'There is a phone there. You may make a call if you wish. I will be outside.'
Severine immediately rang Jane and explained their predicament and the pressure they were under with the Russians on their way.
14:33 30 December [14:33 30 December GMT]
Stately Home of 19th Duke of Hertfordshire, England.
The Duke inhaled deeply on his cigar. The smoke traced out the air currents in the room as it rose to the ceiling. This was the only room he permitted himself to smoke in, apart from the occasional dinner party when he would join his guests. The arrival of the Sunarr had raised in him many deep emotions and memories. The loses he had suffered where beyond the comprehension of man. His future was uncertain. He had decided that this would be his last life, but their arrival had called that into question. There was still much to do, so much pain and suffering ahead that he could hardly bear to think about it. Nevertheless, think about it he had to. His was the legacy. There were others true, but not so many as there had once been. The phone rang and brought him back to the present.
'Hertfordshire.' He said, characteristically using his title.
'It's Jane. I'm afraid I have some bad news.' She went on to explain the situation.
She doesn't know what bad news is, he thought to himself.
'Don't worry Jane, leave it with me. I'll take care of it.'
‘Thanks let me know if there is anything I can do.'
He looked through his list of contacts and settled on one name. He dialled using his public line.
'The Secretary please, it's Hertfordshire.'
'One moment your grace.' There was a pause, 'I'm putting you through now.'
'Frederick what can the Home Secretary do for you today?'
'I want someone, three people actually, released by immigration.'
'That's quite something. May I ask who they are?'
'I'll give you their names but as to why I am interested, that's my business.'
'Look your grace I can't simply turn up and free them....'
The Duke cut him off mid-sentence. 'I don't care how you do it, just do it. You're not the only one who wanted to be Home Secretary you know.'
'OK I'll see what I can do.'
14:52 30 December [14:52 30 December GMT]
Poole Police Station, Joint Emergency Services Building, Dorset, England.
The senior immigration officer hadn't known anything like it. They had a woman in custody wanted for murder. Another who had tried to smuggle her and her daughter into the country. Then there was the question of their possessions. The large amount of various currencies, the Krugerrands, and the Gold box, perfectly sealed and opaque to X-rays.
Now he orders to release them. None of it made any sense. However, the papers he was holding were official and now he had no legal basis on which to hold them. He had protested strongly, pushing the point that the Russians were only an hour away and they should wait for them to question the suspects. He had been informed that this was by order of the Home Secretary and to ignore it or play with it in any way would be a career-limiting move. It was unusual for him to be threatened for just doing his job. However, he had no wish to be shelved or worse moved to another post. My family are settled here, my children in good schools, it's not worth that, is it? He called downstairs and informed the immigration officer dealing with the case of the turn in events. The officer sounded elated by it, which he thought was odd. Fellow must be going native.
The officer pushed through the paperwork as quickly as he could. Severine, Solomon, and Natasha were all gathered in the interview room wondering what was happening when the officer joined them.
'I am pleased to tell you that you are all free to go. Here are your papers and if you could sign that you have received your possessions.' He said as he handed them over.
'We are free?' Solomon could hardly believe it.
'Yes. However I was just informed that the Russians are only fifteen minutes away, so I would suggest that you leave promptly.'
'Don't worry,’ Severine said, 'We will.'
The officer led them outside to the vehicle compound. Unfortunately, their Mercedes was in pieces. The entire interior had been stripped out as they had searched the vehicle thoroughly. It was clearly going to take more than fifteen minutes to reassemble the car.
'I've an idea.' The officer said. He opened his own car to them and drove them down the road to a cafe.
'Wait here and I will come for you when your car is ready.'
The officer got back to his office just as the Russians arrived. They were furious.
'I'm sorry but I had orders to release them.'
'But you knew we were coming. Your government said we could take custody of them!'
'I understand your dilemma, I really do.' The officer was keeping his tone level and his language neutral. 'However we could only hold them as long as we had legal authority to. That authority ceased and so we had to release them.'
'Where have they gone?' The Russian in charge demanded.
'They didn't say where they were going I'm afraid.' He kept to the truth, however tenuously.
'What car are they in?'
'I'm afraid that I have not been authorised to release that information.'
'Why not?' The Russian boomed.
'Because no official request for that information has been lodged. I would suggest that if you require it you do so through official channels.' That should keep them busy for a while.
The Russians, exasperated at his bureaucratic intransigence left in disgust, saying how their ambassador would hear of this. The officer just reflected to himself that he worked for the British Government and no other. Two hours later, the Russians long gone, he drove back to the cafe and picked up the three of them. They left the compound in their car after thanking him for all his help. The officer returned to his office, quietly pleased with himself.
They headed north for Hertfordshire.
21:37 30 December [21:37 30 December GMT]
Stately Home of 19th Duke of Hertfordshire, England.
The drive to the main entrance was incredibly long. The house itself, if it could be referred to as such, was on the large side of grand. Unlike most stately homes, this one had not been opened to the public. The Duke had sufficient funds to keep his home private and well maintained. The grounds were immaculate, the gardens well tended and the acres of trees just added to its charm. What excited Solomon the most was that she was going to meet him. He had been a close friend of her mothers. Now he was the only one she could turn to. The only one who would understand her and the one she could trust with almost anything. No more running. No more hiding. Now we are finally free.
They were shown into the drawing room by the butler, drinks and sandwiches laid out for them. They didn't have to wait long for the Duke to join them. He entered the room and then stood their open-mouthed staring at Solomon.
'You are the picture of your mother.' He hugged her warmly.
'I know so little about you and yet.'
'Yes.'
'It feels like I have known you forever.'
'Let's sit down shall we. We have much to discuss.'
'Would it be OK if Severine stayed here with Natasha?'
'Of course. So good to meet you Severine. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done.' He kissed Severine's hand.
'We won't be long Severine, just some family stuff we have to discuss.'
'Su
re.' Severine replied, 'No rush.'
Severine was too tired to care what they discussed or for how long. There was a music system in the corner and she put some on to help pass the time. They were gone for over an hour and when they returned Solomon's face looked like it carried the weight of the world.
'We need to go.' She said to Severine.
'Go? Go where? Why?'
'The Duke is concerned that by intervening on our behalf, it was him who got us freed from immigration, he has made himself known to the Russians and therefore it won't be safe for us here. However, he has given us a safe contact in London. A Jack Hamilton. He is expecting us.'
They said goodbye to the Duke, thanked him again for arranging their release from immigration, and headed south to London. The traffic increased all the way and soon they were crawling along, but eventually they made it to Chester Square. They waited for Jack to answer the door.
'Hi.' He said brightly, 'You must be the three wise women.'
Natasha giggled at this. Jack bent down to be level with Natasha.
'And I bet you are the wisest of all aren't you?'
Natasha looked down, suddenly shy.
'What's your friends name then?' He asked referring to her toy sheep.
'This is Sheepy.' She said proudly. He took hold of one of the toy's front legs and shook it.
'Pleased to meet you Sheepy. Welcome to my home.'
Jack showed them into his home and introduced them to Sally and Anita who immediately took to Natasha and led her off to the snug to play board games. Jack sat down with Solomon and Severine and listened whilst they recounted their stories to him. Jack took notes as they spoke and had them go over some things when it wasn't clear to him. Eventually they both finished.
'May I see the letter?' Jack asked Solomon.
'No. Sorry, but my mother was most clear on this point, it is for my eyes only.'
'I see.' Jack said, not really understanding the reasoning but leaving it for now. 'You know as the Duke asked me to ensure your safety, I think it would be best if I found you somewhere to live where it will not raise any questions. Excuse me a minute.' Jack popped out of the room but was back in short order.
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