Page 48 of Resistance
Yvette raised her eyebrows. ‘Okay, so saying I do believe you, what happened to the bear, did it escape, surely you didn’t kill it?’
‘Of course I killed it, Zaya, and my mother now has a wonderful winter coat and my father a fetching hat, the head of the bear is on the wall of his study, he is very proud of my trophy.’ Konstantin then took another drink and stood, taking the bottle to Teddy and Jacob.
‘Here, drink, save me from myself and put some hairs on your chest.’
After Teddy silently accepted the bottle, Konstantin returned to his place by Yvette who remained unconvinced by his bear story so chose another more intellectual topic. ‘I’ll need to go soon but before I do, tell me another tale about old Russia and the revolution.’
Konstantin sighed and looked wistful. ‘You are like a taskmaster, Zaya, but I am happy to talk of my homeland, so I will tell you of my grandfather and his days in the Cheka, and about the troika, a Russian obsession with the number three. It may serve you well.’
At this Yvette curled her legs underneath her body.
Konstantin smiled. ‘So, if you are sitting comfortably, I will begin.’
27
The Last Day
Renazé, 1944
Yvette was making her way down the tunnel of the cave, remembering how she’d repeated the bear story to Vincent and explained how revolutionaries used the troika system, of keeping their secrets in a triangle of three. Vincent was a big fan of Konstantin and drank in every word he said, admiring the Russian’s conviction and cause, if not all of his politics, but the sound of raised voices snapped Yvette out of her thoughts.
A heated discussion was audible through the oak door and even the rattling of the key in the lock didn’t interrupt them, but the sight of her standing in the doorway did. Yvette looked from one to the other, then quickly closed and locked the door behind her before demanding answers.
‘What’s going on? You know to keep your voices down. I could hear you from the tunnel.’
Teddy spoke next. ‘Ha, that’s the least of your worries because this idiot went outside, and he was gone ages. The bloody fool could have got us all killed, and he won’t say where he’s been either.’
Yvette could not believe what she was hearing and disappointment raged through her. Konstantin had shocked her and let her down. Keeping her voice as level as possible she focused her attention solely on him. ‘Why did you go out and where have you been? Answer me, Konstantin, you know it’s forbidden.’
At first Konstantin glowered at the other two men, but when he turned towards Yvette his face was softer and slightly bashful. ‘Zaya, I am sorry. I only meant to be gone a few minutes. I took the bucket because it stank, but once I was outside, in the fresh air, I enjoyed the freedom a little too much. And then I had an idea… I am sorry.’
Yvette was not satisfied, sensing also that Teddy wanted to throttle Konstantin. ‘I asked you where you went, and what idea, what are you talking about?’
Konstantin stepped forward and put his right hand inside his overcoat and for a second, her brain went onto alert and her blood ran cold. Before Yvette could react to the swift movement as he retracted his hand, Konstantin had produced a bunch of wild flowers; purple campion and white parsley, blue speedwell and yellow cowslip, bound together with wheatgrass.
‘I wanted to give you something on your birthday. You told me it was today, so I went foraging. Here, for you,s dnem rozhdeniya, happy birthday, Zaya.’ He held them out for her to take.
Yvette was stunned. Touched and humbled beyond compare, torn between duty and friendship, she was unable to speak and was, thankfully, saved by timid Jakob.
‘Well no harm has been done so why don’t we forget about it and, after all, it is Yvette’s birthday so let’s move on. Teddy, do you agree?’ The bespectacled young man looked nervously from the pilot who merely shrugged, then to Yvette who answered.
‘Yes, I agree as long as, Konstantin, you promise never to go out again. Is that a deal?’
The Russian nodded, surly and sulky in the face of the men, smiling when he looked towards Yvette who then felt she should show a little gratitude.
‘Thank you for these, Konstantin, they are lovely and the only gift I have received, so even though you almost gave me a heart attack, you have also given me something to smile about, too.’
Appearing to rally and abandon his pout, Konstantin clapped, making Yvette start.
‘Well what is a birthday without excitement? So all we need now is wine, come, let us drink to your good health.’ With that he moved towards the oak barrels and began picking up the empty bottles that stood there, shaking them to check their contents.
Yvette intervened. ‘Konstantin, stop, I have brought wine and food so let’s sit, you can eat, and I will open the bottle now we are all friends again.’
Silently the four of them moved to where the blankets lay on the floor and under a dripping candle, Yvette uncovered the basket and watched as they helped themselves to the eggs, cold boiled potatoes and bread that lay inside. Once she’d pulled the cork from the bottle, she took a drink and then passed it along, to Konstantin first.
‘Thank you for my flowers, they really are lovely and when I get home, I’ll put them in water.’
‘Will your Tante Helene wonder where they are from? Perhaps she will inform Vincent that he has a rival and he will come and beat me to a pulp.’ Konstantin’s blue eyes laughed.
