LITMIR.BIZ

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spent several years away from his sister. It was difficult to contact him even on the Internet. His answers were rare and scattered…

      The very liaison with this Olga was utter nonsense! Complete dissolution of all traditions and rules! Moreover, Vladimir was going to marry her! No previous engagement neither announcements in newspapers and other media!

      What happened to Vladimir, did they mix something in his drink!? Was this some kind of Caribbean voodoo!? Lyudmila had read, that on many islands of the Caribbean this black magic was practiced – voodoo! Vladimir has changed so much! He simply was not paying much attention to his sister; he was answering to her as if automatically! And he seemed to completely abandon all business!

      The last few years have been a real nightmare for Lyudmila - her whole world collapsing around her like a house of cards was.

      Lyudmila had a wish to travel as well, because the house in Eaton Square was so empty! But even the visiting of Russian monasteries did not bring the usual consolation.

      Then she traveled to Italy, where she had never visited since her distant youth, she had an affair there right after university! Florence was for her not only a city of high art, but also of love. Venice also kept her most romantic memories.

      Lyudmila has long wanted to travel to different cities in Italy, to enjoy the art of the Renaissance and nostalgia for a naive youth… But more than ever she longed to share all her sentiments with her brother. And he almost never answered… And even less often he called and wrote on his own…

      Then finally, Vladimir had returned home with his fiancée!!! And this Olga was so weird - a gray little mouse, a pale shadow next to Vladimir, just nobody! What had attracted him to her!?

      Their first family dinner was happening tonight. Lyudmila prepared everything in the best traditions. They have a wonderful French chef in the house. He always did the impossible, combined two such different cuisines – French and British, selecting the best from both! He had many of his own unique recipes…

      Would this white mouse Olga be able to appreciate all the sophistication of the dishes?

      Would Vladimir notice all the beauty of the serving and her, Lyudmila, longing for her brother? He has already arrived half a day, but they have not seen each other yet…

      Meanwhile Olga and Vladimir were walking around London. How quiet and peaceful in Belgravia indeed! There are no random passers-by or even cars. It was like a city within a city, or more precisely, an estate with a park in the center of one of the most significant cities in the world!

      The young couple finally returned home and climbed to the top floor – the property of Vladimir. Olga could not count the number of rooms or fully understand their purpose. Vladimir told her that it was time to change for dinner and go down to the floor below - one in the possession of his sister. Dinner should start at eight o’clock sharp. They should hurry up…

      And so, they met - a fiancée and a sister.

      Olga was a young slender blonde with a light halo of wavy hair and the classic beauty of Pushkin's muses.

      And Mila (as Lyudmila called herself) - a tall, dry lady of about fifty-five with a short haircut of dark graying hair. She looked a lot like her brother - a little heavy, but regular face features, wide bones, tall in height.

      Mila came up to greet both of them - slightly hugged each one and scattered in the usual courtesies. Then the dinner went on with a change of good dishes and nice remarks as if according to some protocol.

      Vladimir smiled the most and enlivened the conversation as best he could.

      Olga did not feel the taste of the dishes. She looked towards Mila only at the same time with her fiancé. With every minute, fear picked up and fettered all of Olga's movements and thoughts - she never managed to answer intelligently or make a good joke…

      Mila even began to smile pitifully and make fun of Olga. She began to sympathetically assure the frozen Olga that she would help her settle in London and would not leave her alone, even when Vladimir would plunge headlong into his work again. Mila’s nicely flowing small talk with a sweet smile and cold gaze made Olga even more nervous.

      Olga’s input in conversation was becoming less and less appropriate, and then she fell silent altogether. Vladimir began to say goodbye - Olga was too tired after the flight and the change of climate; it was time for them all to retire.

      The dinner brought to exhaustion not only Olga, but also Lyudmila. Everything turned out to be much worse than her worst forebodings. Olga turned out to be not only a pale consumptive shadow, but also a hopeless fool with a complete lack of manners or a sense of humor! Mila could not sleep…

      In the morning, Lyudmila tried to work on an article about the influence of Italian Renaissance masters on British artists, but the work was not going well at all… Then she went through the mail, made up a couple of replies to completely unimportant correspondence, just to keep herself busy… But nothing could distract her from sad thoughts.

      Lyudmila did not remember herself in such a depressed state… And then her friend Alla called. Mila had never been so happy with her. Alla was a rather annoying friend, talkative and always critical of everything. But now meeting with her could distract her from bad thoughts! The friends agreed to see each other for an afternoon tea.

      “Mila!” Alla said on the phone. “I know such a wonderful place, a new Russian restaurant serving tea in a way, you've never seen before, let's go!?”

      Lyudmila let herself be persuaded without a delay; a new place was what she needed! She was so tired of everything, all around just had lost its meaning!

      The restaurant was really wonderful. Instead of traditional British sandwiches, they served tartlets with caviar, pancakes, black bread with salmon or herring! Instead of tea cups, there were glasses with cup holders - just like servings on the Russian railroad! Lyudmila did not even know whether to resent or admire such innovations in the British tradition of afternoon tea…

      Alla was the bored widow of a Russian oligarch, a plump, dyed blonde, a shopaholic and dog’s crazy. She could talk endlessly about herself, but she loved to hear about other people's news so much more. She was aware of everything, knew "who from who" and immediately realized, that Lyudmila looked different. Mila went to a meeting with Alla with a firm intention not to tell her anything, but could not stand it, it was too painful to keep everything to herself.

      Alla, as always, chattered incessantly, but then suddenly stopped and looked intently at Lyudmila.

      “Mila, something about you is not right today,” she said. “And you barely touched the food! I thought you'd like it here! Yes, a little too Russian, but how elegant everything is, isn't it!?”

      “Ah, Alla, you know me, I'm not up to complaining,” Lyudmila sighed. “Life is not only roses… Still, I am always trying my best to be in harmony with my world… However, yesterday my brother arrived with his new “passion”, they finally returned from their long journey! Alla! That's horrible! She's an ugly fool! And he - as if bewitched by her, some kind of possessed!!! I never believed in witchcraft, but how else can this be explained? They both looked like being under anesthesia! Last night I was the one who talking at the table for most time! She is mentally ill, and mental illness can be contagious, like mass psychosis! Lord, what am I saying! Probably, I am too, got sick along with them!”

      “Lord, Mila! I've never seen you like this! Did they bring any exotic tea or rum with them? Did you drink or eat anything unusual with them?”

      “Alla, hold on! The dinner was completely organized by me, at my premises! But Vladimir has simply degraded in the company of this Olga over the past couple of years! This's not healthy! What awaits us!? He completely stopped all affairs! He stopped sharing anything with me, stopped asking for advice. He does not consult with her either! He just constantly smiles silly and that's it!!!”

      “Mila, listen, invite her to tea! I want to see this oddball! I know your brother, he's not a little boy, it's not so easy to zombify him! Maybe everything is not as bad! They are not husband and wife yet! Let's,

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