Heads You Win

She checked the four names printed neatly beside the doorbells, before pressing the button for the top floor.

“Please come up,” said a voice that was obviously expecting her.

A buzzer sounded, and Elena pushed open the door and made her way to the lift. When she stepped out on the fourth floor, she saw a maid standing by an open door.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Karpenko. Let me take you through to the countess.”

Elena tried not to stare at the photographs of the tsar and tsarina on holiday with the countess’s family on the Black Sea, as she was taken through to a drawing room full of the most beautiful antique furniture. A marble bust of Tsar Nicholas II rested on the center of the mantelpiece.

“How kind of you to take the time in your busy life to visit me,” said the countess, waving her guest to a large comfortable chair opposite her. “There’s so much we have to talk about. But first, some tea.”

Elena was pleased to find the countess was now living in luxury, compared with the cramped basement flat in Pimlico.

“And how is Sasha?” was the countess’s first question.

“When he’s not working in the restaurant, he’s studying accountancy and business management at the LSE, which can only benefit our burgeoning business.”

“Not burgeoning for much longer, I’m told. When I last saw Sasha, he mentioned rumors that—”

“But only rumors, countess,” said Elena, “although Gino’s sure he spotted two of the judges having lunch at the restaurant quite recently. But we’ve heard nothing definite.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed,” said the countess as the maid returned bearing a large silver tray laden with tea, biscuits, and a chocolate cake, which she placed in the center of the table.

“Milk, no sugar, if I remember correctly,” said the countess as she began to pour.

“Thank you.”

“Sasha also tells me he’s considering standing for the local council. I hear a vacancy has arisen recently.”

“Yes, he’s been shortlisted for the seat, but he’s not confident they’ll select him.”

“Be assured, Elena, Fulham Council will be nothing more than a stepping stone on his inevitable path to the House of Commons.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Oh yes. Sasha has all the qualities and failings necessary to make an excellent Member of Parliament. He’s bright, resourceful, cunning, and not averse to taking the occasional risk if he believes the cause is worth it.”

“But don’t forget he’s an immigrant,” said Elena.

“Which may even be an advantage in the modern Labour Party.”

“Don’t let him know,” said Elena, “but I’ve always voted Conservative.”

“Me too,” admitted the countess. “But in my case I don’t think it would come as much of a surprise. Enough of Sasha, how is Charlie getting on at the Courtauld?”

“She’s almost completed her thesis on ‘Krøyer: The Unknown Master.’ So it won’t be too long until she’s Dr. Karpenko.”

“And are there any signs of—”

“Unfortunately not. It appears that the modern generation think it’s important to establish a career before you have children. In my day…”

“I do believe, Elena, you are more old-fashioned than I am.”

“Sasha certainly thinks so.”

“My dear, I can assure you, he admires you above all women,” said the countess, offering her guest a slice of Black Forest gateau. She paused and took a sip of tea, before saying, “Now, I must confess, Elena, that I had an ulterior motive for asking to see you.”

Elena put down her fork and listened carefully.