The door creaked open a few centimetres. Before her in the half-light stood a tiny, wizened woman, her puny body entirely swathed in shiny purple, including her head, where perched an attempt at a turban. It sat upon her strangely solid hair like a purple hen on a blue-black nest. Piercing black eyes, accentuated by a smudge of violet eye-liner, peered out around a long, sharp nose.
Madame Zoya. Sveta took a little curtsey. Thank you for arranging this.
The eyes crawled over Sveta. There was a grunt and a yawn, and the head craned forward, the light from the stairwell throwing its contours into sharp relief: a face ancient and creviced, like Mount Elbrus. My dear, my dear erm, dearest. I have just woken from my preparatory nap. Who are you?
Svetas cheeks wobbled with confused indignation as she introduced herself, adding, I am with Gor Papasyan, of course. You recall? We spoke on the telephone. We have met many times before, Madame.
Of course! I recall everything, child, theres no need to explain. It is an honour to be of assistance to the gentleman, and indeed, your good self. I have heard so much about the gentleman at the library, in the theatre, when I go to collect my pension, and of course at the Elderly Club. Sadly, he is not a member. I am thrilled, I must tell you. He is of a more interesting quality than most I get around my table. She cackled, and paused, head snapping from side to side, her hen-turban quivering. Where is he, anyway?
He is making his own way here, Madame. I did offer a lift, but he wanted to be alone. She leant forward. It is his pride, I think. Youll have heard about his pride?
Yes, and I hear he keeps himself to himself. She crinkled the corner of an eye at Sveta, holding wide the door. Come in, child, and make yourself comfortable. I am expecting a crowd tonight. Oh yes, everyone wants to know what is troubling our mysterious Armenian. I think theyre interested in his money, to be frank. There are stories of gold. You know he was a bank manager?
Svetas previous contact with Zoya was limited to a series of unsuccessful try-outs at the Amateur Dramatics Society, and various psychics meetings at a friends house, where the lady sometimes turned up and scared them all to death. Being received in the doyennes dominion gave her a frisson of excitement. She was led into the salon, large and high-ceilinged, with long, curtained windows all across one wall. Her first impression that it was impossibly dark, over-filled with furnishings of every era and studded with horrifically stuffed animals was swiftly overtaken by the smell. The air that hung between those ancient walls was heavy with incense, rich tobacco and a noxious spirit: rum, perhaps. It smelled like the kind of place where things happened. Svetas hands were clammy with excitement.
Zoya hopped around the room, her spidery fingers rearranging half-full ashtrays and ugly ornaments. I need to concentrate! She stopped to sniff at a half-smoked cigar. Ah! Yes, I am recalling. Her eyelids fluttered. Our cast of characters: heres the run-down: weve got Alla from the White Flamingo shes poor at channelling energy, a bit floppy all round, but she gives me discounts on rum, so its a benefit to have her. And theres Masha from the Palace of Youth shes very keen on dance and men; but then, arent we all? She stopped to wheeze. Then theres Nastya from the library, who has a thing for elderly folk: shes quite nosey, fairly experienced and erm, hang on. She lit the cigar and puffed a smoke ring into the air. Sveta coughed. Where did we get to? Oh yes, of course! Theres Valya, from the bank. She is a sceptic, but she frightens easily. Shes been coming for a while. Her husband passed away but he wont talk to her. Now She fixed Sveta with a bright black eye. Valya will be bringing her lodger, the handsome Vlad hes a medical student, works at the sanatorium. Hes new. Came round the other evening to introduce himself: helped out with some DIY I have to check new sitters credentials, you see. He was most helpful really quite delicious. She shut her eyes and pouted. And hes bringing Polly. Shes a friend of Allas sort of. Troubled background, shes been once before, but wed best not Shes a medical student also, works in a pharmacy good for supplies! Zoya cackled, cigar smoke erupting from her mouth and rising lazily to the ochre ceiling.
But I havent a clue what their souls are like! Ha! Now, can you tell me more about Papasyan, before he gets here? Ive done a little digging, but She clawed at Svetas sleeve with her sharp fingers.
Well, no, Madame, not really. He is a very private person. But the silent telephone calls, noises in the hall, the headless rabbit, the moth sandwich, the face at the window: all these things suggest, to me at least, magic, or spirit movement, or some other
manifestation of evil intent?
Yes.
Yesss! Madame Zoya stretched out the word as a snake hisses in its coils. Hey ho! We must get the table out, and put up a barricade to stop the smokers from collapsing the balcony. Believe me, it will be necessary. Here, pass me that stool, will you? And the bookcase, just shove the bookcase over here, Zoya commanded in her curious, gravel-crunch voice.
Sveta was momentarily immobile, utterly surprised at being commanded to shift furniture while wearing a slip. Shouldnt we wait, Madame, until a man gets here
Why? demanded Zoya, her head cocked to one side. You look strong, Id give you at least seventy-five kilos, no? Sveta blushed. Dont doubt your own abilities! Take that end, and on my count: ready, heave!
The ladies shifted the fully laden constructivist bookcase across the wooden floor and into the doorway to the balcony.
There! That should prevent any accidents, Zoya laughed. Now, lets make sure we have the lighting levels right. She flicked a switch and they stood together in total blackness.
Madame Zoya? I think that is a little dark.
Aw
No, really, Madame.
Nonsense! How am I to concentrate if we have light annoying my eyelids! I think that is about right.
But Madame Zoya, I cannot see anything.
Thats the point.
Dont the spirits seek the light, Madame? Just gentle light candles?
Madame Zoya? I think that is a little dark.
Aw
No, really, Madame.
Nonsense! How am I to concentrate if we have light annoying my eyelids! I think that is about right.
But Madame Zoya, I cannot see anything.
Thats the point.
Dont the spirits seek the light, Madame? Just gentle light candles?
Candles? Zoya considered. Ahhh! Yes, I think youre right. I will find some. She flicked the light switch and went to rummage in a drawer that sounded like it housed a thousand jigsaws, all with no lids.
A buzz proclaimed the arrival of the first guest. Zoya hopped back to the room, three red candles in her hand. Look, new ones, still in wrappers! Right, erm sorry my dear, what was your name?
Sveta, said Sveta flatly.
Dont be offended, Sveta dear, it is my age. Now remember: for the séance, it will be your job to ensure there is absolute calm. I will be otherwise engaged.
Yes, Madame Zoya. All will be calm, said Sveta seriously. She would employ her teaching skills to ensure the conversation with the spirit world was orderly. She flexed her hands and cracked her knuckles.
A procession of young and curious, old and experienced presented themselves at the door. Sveta took coats, smiled and tried to imbue calm into every handshake. Her own hands felt sweaty. When would Gor arrive?
The bell buzzed. She leapt to open the door, expecting Gors morose features, and stood transfixed, the breath solidified in her throat. Before her stood the beautiful young man shed seen at the Palace of Youth.
Good evening, he murmured, grey eyes caressing hers.
Yes? said Sveta with a breathless smile, her eyes moving to his parted lips as her heartbeat fluttered beneath her breast.
Were here for the séance, the tall, dark girl at his side spoke. Sveta jumped at the words: she had not noticed the girl. Dark eyes assessed her.
Ah, Vovka, you made it then? Valya cried from across the hallway, bustling forward, gold teeth flashing, her plump hands extended in welcome.
Sveta stood her ground. She wanted a proper introduction.
My name is Sveta, I am assisting Madame Zoya this evening. And you are?
Vladimir Petrovich, but please just call me Vlad.
Oh, how modern! Sveta held out her hand. He took it in his, and placed his lips to her skin.
Polina, said the girl, people call me Polly. She smiled, her eyes gazing over Svetas head, and pushed past into the flat.
Shoes off! Sveta commanded as their heels tapped over the threshold.
I thought youd got lost, said Valya over her glass of compote. Alla and I waited on the corner for ages, but we had to give up: she was getting her trouble. Valya gave Polly a meaningful nudge, and the girl grimaced, moving swiftly into the next room.
I am so sorry, Valya, Vlad took up her free hand and kissed that too.
Her face glowed. Lets go into the salon. You met Madame Zoya the other night, didnt you? Youll have to show me your handiwork!
By all means, but one moment! Let me get rid of these boots.
Svetas lips twitched as she patted her hair in the hallway mirror. Behind her, Vlads buttocks curved like twin moons as he bent to slide off his boots.
It was nothing, continued Vlad. I did a little inventory of work that needs to be done, took a look at the balcony.
Youre such a good boy! smiled Valya.
Gor was the last to arrive. He paced about the hall and said little, trying to ignore the curious eyes that blinked at him around the doorpost of the salon. He clutched his coat to him and would have kept it on if Sveta had not insisted.
Oh come now, Gor, the spirits will not come if they think you are about to leave!
The spirits will not come, full stop! Sveta, listen. He stood before her, pale and miserable. This is all nonsense, and I should not have come. I was wrong to let you think this could help, but I did not want to hurt your feelings. I
The words disappeared as Madame Zoya swept upon him, as far as a tiny woman with a purple chicken on her head could sweep.
My dear Gor! she clasped his hands to her bony bosom.
Madame Zoya, he eyed her carefully, I dont think weve met?
Not in person, as such, but I feel I know you: your aura is so strong, Azov positively reeks of it! She grinned, showing twin rows of tiny brown teeth book-ended by sharp canines. Let me assure you, it is never too late to wrestle with fate. I am thrilled you have chosen me to help you tonight!