Page 53 of The Unseen
“He has no respect. He wouldn’t, being a Jew.”
“What does being a Jew have to do with it?” Valentina asked.
“They always find a way to make a profit off others, in any circumstances. It’s disgraceful, but I wouldn’t expect anything better from the likes of him.”
“Dmitri, Valentina, please, let’s talk of something else. Surely this young man is not worth such anger.”
“I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Dmitri replied, his tone now gentle. “Of course, you are correct. The young man is providing a useful service.”
“Indeed, he is. I very much look forward to reading these poems.”
“Perhaps you can read them to us out loud after supper,” Dmitri suggested.
“It would be my pleasure,” Elena replied as she laid a soothing hand on Dmitri’s arm. “I do like riding around in a motorcar. This is a new experience for all of us, isn’t it?”
“It’s grand,” Kolya said. “When I grow up, I’ll have a motorcar of my own. Maybe two.”
“So will I,” Tanya piped in. “And I will drive it myself. I’ve no need of a man.”
“Tanya!” Elena cried.
“Women drive, Mother. Women do many things in this country.”
“So they do,” Elena replied bleakly. “So they do.”
“Valya, you must show Dmitri respect,” Elena said once they were alone in the parlor. Dmitri had gone out to run an errand, and Elena had called for tea.
“I did nothing wrong.”
“You antagonized him.”
“I had no idea he was such an anti-Semite.”
“He’s perfectly nice to Mrs. Stern.”
“Because she serves a purpose. Isn’t he benefitting from her family’s hardship? So, why is it wrong for Stanislav Bistritzky to sell his newspaper?”
“It isn’t, but you don’t need to argue with Dmitri about it. He’s entitled to his opinions, and given that we’re living on his generous bounty, you will control your tongue in the future.”
“Yes, Mama. I’m sorry.”
“Have some tea.”
Valentina accepted a cup of tea. She was grateful to Dmitri for all he’d done for them, and was still going to do, but she hated feeling beholden and having to hold her tongue for fear of offending their benefactor. Perhaps, in time, she could find some sort of employment, so that she’d at least have some of her own money and not feel entirely dependent on him.
TWENTY-SEVEN
DECEMBER 2014
London, England
Quinn set aside the necklace and padded into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She’d never had tea with lemon and sugar but had a mind to try it as soon as she purchased lemons, because that was how Valentina’s family always took it. She smiled to herself as she dunked a teabag in her mug and added a splash of milk. How fortunate for the Kalinins that Cousin Dmitri had finally received their letter. He couldn’t have been kinder or more helpful. Elena had been right in choosing to go to England instead of trying her luck in France, where they’d have to beg assistance from Alexei’s elderly aunt. Things must have turned out well, since Quinn knew for a fact that Valentina had eventually married and had children.
She dismissed the argument she’d witnessed between Valentina and Dmitri. It wasn’t unnatural for people to have a difference of opinion, and it wasn’t surprising that Dmitri wasn’t fond of the Jews. The Russians and the Jews had never coexisted peacefully in Russia, and still didn’t. Many Russian Jews had fled to England after the Revolution, and many more arrived after World War II. Despite his years in England, Dmitri appeared to be deeply rooted in his Russian ways, and probably would remain so for the rest of his days.
Quinn carried her tea through to the bedroom where Alex was beginning to wake up from his mid-morning nap, like clockwork. She changed his nappy and fed him, then went to the window to take a peek outside. The day was overcast, but it wasn’t snowing or pissing down with rain, which was always a bonus. Perhaps a brief walk. She liked to leave the house at least once a day, to remind herself that she wasn’t a hermit, and to make sureAlex got some fresh air. She was just about to dress the baby in a warm jumper when the doorbell buzzed.
I hope it’s not Sylvia again, Quinn thought as she went to see who was at the door. She backed away in surprise when she saw Jude on the screen, waiting patiently to be allowed to come up. He looked nervous, stepping from foot to foot, as if he needed the loo.
