Spoils of War (47 page)

‘I swear, Feodor, I’ll do everything I can for him.’

‘One more thing before you telephone. We both know what’s been happening to repatriated Russians since the Yalta agreement. The shootings, the ten- and fifteen-year sentences, the show trials and hangings.’

‘How-’

‘News travels, even to Pontypridd. Tell whoever’s at the end of the line that I won’t leave Masha and neither of us will walk through the gates of another camp again.’

‘They’ve promised you will be honoured. Given a house, a good position.’

‘We both know the value of Soviet promises.’

‘Please, at least consider fighting this.’

‘Not at the cost of abandoning Masha. And even if I did fight, Edmund, then what? You might succeed in delaying the inevitable for a week, a month – who knows – even a year. But they’ll win in the end. Far more important people than me have been sent back and we both know it. Send Peter in here when you make the call. Huw, you won’t mind if I talk to my son in private.’

Chapter Twenty-four

Angelo ran breathlessly over the Park Bridge, waving frantically when he saw Liza leaning on the parapet at the far end. Charging towards her, he wrapped his arms round her waist.

‘I got Tony to take over.’

‘I’m not pregnant, Angelo.’

He took a deep breath. ‘I won’t pretend I’m not relieved. I’d much rather marry you properly in a church than carry on the way we are.’

‘There’s no easy way to say this. I like you, Angelo. I respect you. You’re a wonderful man but I won’t be seeing you any more.’

He stared at her in total disbelief. ‘Liza – what’s happened – what … ?’

‘It’s not you. It’s me. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else.’

‘But I love you. You love me.’ He stood before her bewildered, uncomprehending, and she had to force herself to continue.

‘I’m sorry, Angelo. I only thought I loved you.’

‘I should never have made love to you.’

‘It’s not that.’ Unable to cope with the pain mirrored in his eyes, she stared down at the pools and eddies of swirling, coal-blackened water. ‘I’ve met someone else. I wasn’t looking for it to happen but it did. I hate myself for hurting you but I can’t see any way out for either of us other than this. I can’t live a lie and in the end you wouldn’t want me to.’ She tried to touch his hand but he pulled it back. ‘I know it’s no consolation but I really thought that you were the one. Then I met this other man and he made me realise you weren’t.’

‘How long has it been going on between you?’ he demanded hoarsely.

‘Not long. I’ve only met him three times.’

‘Then you can’t possibly know him.’

‘I don’t, at least not everything about him. But I know enough to realise that I love him.’

‘More than me?’

‘I think so.’

‘That’s it,
“you think so”.
You can’t possibly know, Liza …’

‘I shouldn’t have said that, Angelo. I do love him. With all my heart. You’ll always be a very special person but –’

‘Not special enough for you to marry,’ he broke in contemptuously.

‘I can’t, Angelo, not now.’

‘But you will marry this other person?’

‘Yes.’

‘He’s already asked you?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you’ve told him you will.’

‘Not yet, because I wanted to see you first.’

‘Who is he, Liza? Do I know him?’ His voice was cold but his eyes burned feverishly as he glared at her.

‘Peter Raschenko.’

‘Peter! That kid! You can’t possibly be serious. He’s a lunatic. He asked you to sleep with him. He’s –’

‘I’ve heard all the arguments, Angelo. Auntie Bethan went through every one.’

‘I can’t believe that you’d throw yourself away on that boy. He’s sixteen, for God’s sake. Liza, think about what you’re doing.’

‘I have, Angelo. I’m sorry. Really, really sorry. I hope you’ll find someone else. A girl who deserves you.’

‘Spare me the hypocrisy, Liza.’ He looked hard at her. ‘You’re determined to marry him.’

‘Yes.’

‘Then there’s nothing more for me to say, is there?’ Turning on his heel he walked away.

She continued to stare down at the river, shedding tears for Angelo, the misery she had caused him, and finally a few of relief that she was free to offer Peter her heart – and whatever else he should want of her.

‘I told you I’d never go back.’ Peter stared implacably at his father. ‘And I meant it.’

‘I know you did, Peter, which is why I’m doing all I can to ensure that you stay in this country.’

‘Safe in this house, while you take my mother back to Russia and the camps?’

‘They have promised your mother that we can return to our old house.’

‘And you believe them?’

‘I believe your mother believes them. And I believe she will never be truly happy outside Russia. I also know that they will never forget about me or leave me alone until I do go back.’

‘So you will allow them to cart you off like a piece of dirt – like an animal!’

‘Shouting will only upset your mother. You have to help me, Peter. We haven’t much time. Your mother and I will be leaving in less than an hour. There is a Russian ship in Cardiff; we’ll be sailing first thing tomorrow. What I want you to do, what you have to do, is convince your mother that you will follow us as soon as you have sold the house and my businesses here. She doesn’t need to know that will never happen.’

‘And when I don’t arrive?’

‘I will never leave her. I have promised her and I promise you that. But whatever happens, whatever letters come back here I want you to swear that you will stay in this country. That you will never – never – try to follow us. That you will look after your brother and help his mother all you can.’

Peter leaned against the wall. ‘I won’t leave my mother to go back to the camps alone.’

‘She won’t be alone, she will be with me. You have looked after her long enough, it is my turn now.’ Charlie heard footsteps outside the door. ‘And you have Liza to think about. If you love her as you say you do, then your place is with her.’

‘Feo?’ Edmund knocked at the door and opened it.

‘Can Peter stay?’ Charlie demanded urgently.

‘He can remain here to look after your business interests for two years and I have my superior’s word that he will be given a temporary visa for that length of time. But I promise you, Feodor, by all that is holy, I will do everything in my power to ensure that he becomes a British citizen before the two years are up.’

‘A lot can happen in two years.’ Charlie smiled at Peter. ‘You could be married by then.’

‘When I suggested it, you laughed at me.’

‘Not laughed. Said you were too young. I am sorry. Even in this country you couldn’t be a boy for long.’

‘They want you on board the ship as soon as I can get you there, Feo.’

‘I have people to see.’

‘No people, Feo, and no letters. No scenes, no crowds and no last words that can be misinterpreted later and lead to political demonstrations, those are my orders. But you have your friend in the house.’

‘And both my sons.’ Charlie thought rapidly. ‘Peter, ask Mrs Lane to help your mother to pack our clothes, especially the warm ones. There are suitcases on top of the wardrobe in the spare bedroom. And food, we’ll need food and drink. Everything that won’t spoil that can be spared from the cupboards. Go and help them. Your mother will want to say goodbye and remember what I said about you following us.’

‘I will,’ Peter muttered sullenly.

‘And send Theo in with Huw.’

‘Father –’

‘Just do it, boy.’ Charlie softened his voice when he saw the expression on Peter’s face. ‘Pasha, you must have learned in the camps that there are some things that cannot be changed. I need you to be strong, to look after Theo, to help his mother manage the business you own a part of. And I want you to tell everyone I know here that if I can, I will write, and if I can’t, they can still write to me care of the Russian Embassy. Whatever the future holds for us, your mother and I would like to know that we aren’t forgotten.’

‘You’ll remember that, Huw?’

‘Tell Alma you love her, you’ll never forget her or Theo, and you want her to look after Peter.’

‘And my fond affection, lifelong friendship and good wishes to everyone else. I wish I could have stayed in Pontypridd to grow old with them.’

‘I still think you’re mad not to fight this.’

‘If there was a way to fight and win, I would, but there’s no way I can go up against the full might of the Soviet Government.’

Charlie turned to Theo, who was unnaturally quiet and subdued. The presence of strange men in uniform coupled with the serious expression on his father’s face had made him forget all about football. He longed for the security of the flat above the shop and his mother’s reassuring presence but he held back, feeling that it would be disloyal to his father even to ask.

‘Theo.’ Charlie lifted him up and held him close. ‘You’ll look after your mother and be a good boy?’

Theo returned Charlie’s hug because he felt it was expected of him. On impulse Charlie emptied his pocket of all his money and pressed it into Theo’s hand. The small boy’s eyes grew round in wonderment.

‘For me?’ he asked as Charlie set him down.

‘Your money box.’

‘Father,’ Peter opened the door, ‘Mrs Lane’s asking if you want the food packed in the hamper.’

‘Whatever she thinks best. Pasha, my important papers are locked in a box in my bedside cabinet, the key’s on this ring.’ He handed over all his keys. ‘There’s also a bank safety deposit box; Theo’s mother knows the number. If you don’t understand something or want to know anything about my business affairs, go to her, Huw,’ he looked to Huw, who nodded silent agreement, ‘or Andrew John.’

‘But –’

‘I won’t need them any more, Pasha. This house is yours now. Take Theo back to his mother with Huw after we’ve gone. Tell her what has happened and tell her no tears.’

Lost for words, Peter threw his arms round his father’s neck and hugged him for the first time.

‘It’s time, Feo.’ Edmund Melerski was standing in the doorway.

‘You’re coming with us?’

‘Following in the car behind.’

‘Pasha, get my overcoat and hat and tell your mother I’ll meet her at the car.’

Huw picked up Theo and went to the door. He turned back in time to see the captain slip Charlie a small box as he shook his hand. Anyone without a policeman’s eye and training might have missed the changeover. Charlie slid the box into his sleeve, almost as though he’d been expecting it, before embracing the captain.

Huw set Theo down and the child went running into the kitchen.

‘You told them I’d prefer a bullet in the back of the skull to a camp, Edmund. Masha then myself so she wouldn’t suffer seeing me go first,’ Charlie whispered in Russian.

‘I told them, Feo, the pills are just insurance.’

Charlie looked up, expecting to see Huw standing alone in the doorway but Peter was behind him, tears frozen in the corner of his eyes.

‘We’ll be together, Pasha. It’s what we both want.’ He gripped his son’s shoulder hard as Peter handed him his coat. ‘Goodbye, Huw, take care of yourself and your family and thank you for all I know you’ll do for my sons,’ he called back as Captain Melerski escorted him through the front door and down the steps. The lieutenant was holding the car door open. Charlie stepped in first, turning to Masha as she clung to Peter.

‘We’ll soon be together again, Masha,’ he murmured. ‘Just think,’ he smiled as he reached out and gripped her hand. ‘We’re finally going home.’

‘Alma asleep?’ Megan asked Bethan as she walked downstairs.

‘No, but she’s curled up on Theo’s bed. He’s the only comfort she wants.’

‘I can’t believe I’ll never see Charlie again.’

‘None of us can believe it, Auntie Megan.’

‘How is Peter taking it?’

‘He refuses to leave the spare room. Uncle Huw’s sitting with him in case he wants to talk. How about some tea?’

‘I’ve made it. That poor boy, seeing his mother and father carted off like that without being able to lift a finger to help. I thought we’d fought a war to put an end to injustice. When it comes down to it we’re no better than the Germans.’

Huw opened the kitchen door and walked in. ‘Peter’s eyes are closed but he’s not asleep.’

‘How can you tell?’ Megan asked.

‘By his breathing.’

‘Can I get you anything, Uncle Huw?’

‘Tea please, Bethan.’ He sank on to an easy chair and buried his face in his hands. ‘I’ve never felt so bloody useless in all my life. Just standing there, hopeless and helpless while they drove Charlie away to God knows what.’

‘What else could you have done?’ Bethan questioned logically. ‘Arrested an official military delegation?’ She took the bottle of brandy she had coaxed from Andrew’s father and poured two measures for Megan and Huw.

‘I checked their orders. I didn’t even have the right to do that, but there must have been something I could have done to delay them, at least until Alma had a chance to say goodbye. Hopeless and bloody helpless.’ He downed the measure of brandy in one gulp.

The front door opened. Bethan went into the hall as Andrew dropped a suitcase on to a chair.

‘We brought all the clothes we found in Peter’s room.’

‘Where is he?’ Liza followed, cradling Peter’s rucksack as though it held the crown jewels.

‘The spare bedroom.’

‘Can I go to him, Auntie Beth?’

Bethan nodded, ‘But he hasn’t said a word since he walked through the door.’

‘He’ll be all right now I’m here. You’ll see. I’ll make him all right.’

Peter was lying stretched out on his back on the bed, his eyes open, staring upwards at the ceiling. Closing the door, Liza crept close to the bed. Slipping off her coat and shoes she lay beside him, wrapping her arms round his chest.

‘Pasha, I am so sorry.’

‘You don’t have to be. I am used to being alone.’

‘But you’re not alone and you won’t be ever again now we have one another.’

‘You’ll leave me.’

‘No I won’t,’ she countered fiercely. ‘Not ever.’ She continued to hold him until slowly, very slowly, a tear trickled from his eye, then another and another, until the dam finally burst.

She continued to hold him all through the night, bracing her body against the shuddering of his, stroking his hair away from his face, blotting his tears with her handkerchief. Oblivious to the footsteps that hesitated outside the door, and the whisperings in the corridor, she continued to lie there all through sunset and the long cold hours. When dawn finally broke he turned to her and she kissed him, a light, delicate, chaste kiss that he returned with a passion that bordered on savagery.

There was no pretence at tenderness. His lovemaking was cruel, with none of the gentleness and consideration she had come to expect from Angelo. But she recognised his brutality for what it was. An assertion of his need to be recognised as a man, rather than a pawn in a prison system that destroyed humanity, family and all the love and compassion that concept stood for. It didn’t matter that his kisses bruised and his caresses raised welts on her skin. The price was small, and one she gladly paid, in the hope that it would give him a reason to trust her to take the place of the only people who had ever loved and cared for him.