A Chance to Live

By Marina English

Eleonora is from a prosperous Jewish family in St Petersburg, but they are reduced from riches to rags by the Russian Revolution of 1917. Luckily she meets an aspiring musician, marries him and is blessed with a son, Felix. She would do anything for her son and when he begins an illegal gay relationship with his soul mate, Eugeny, she is determined to protect them. The ‘family’ facade she so carefully creates keeps them safe and allows the ‘boys’ to develop their musical careers, but they are eventually pushed to extremes when a stalker threatens their cover. Eleonora would die for her son but how far would she go to conceal his forbidden passion?
The body of a beautiful young woman is discovered by the pier in Sochi – a Black Sea resort in the south of Russia. Can this be the missing daughter of a senior Moscow Communist Party official? Vadim Vasin, a young lieutenant from the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department, is sent to Sochi to investigate and he encounters Felix and Eugeny, but they don’t seem connected with his investigation.
Thirty years later Vadim Vasin, now a major, investigates the suspicious death of his own beloved grandmother, which again brings him into contact with the two men. Can the famous conductor Felix Kaplan or his son-in-law, charismatic musician Eugeny Krassilnikov, have anything to do with these crimes? Vadim vows to solve this mystery.
This is a fully developed novel that comprises a psychological thriller integrated within a family drama/saga, a multifaceted story combining mystery, murder, suspense, crime, and romance. Set in oppressive 20th century Russia, it tells of a mother’s fearless devotion, amazing family loyalty, and the courage to be different, but also how fear can drive people to extremes. Just how far will they go to keep their secret?

Author’s Note
This story takes the reader into a bizarre society in which most people are anxious to ‘toe the line’ in order to avoid persecution. Such is the shocking reality for the majority of people living in the Soviet Union – so aptly labelled ‘The Evil Empire’ by President Reagan. Nevertheless some of the so-called intelligentsia, like the artistic family featured in my story, manage to carve themselves a comfortable niche. Just as long as they keep a low profile and avoid official attention, they can live a privileged and unconventional life. But it would be a disaster to be involved in a scandal, which could result in ruthless persecution by the authorities. Being gay is illegal in 20th century Russia, and prison a fate worse than death, so imagine how desperate they would be.
To understand the main characters we need to appreciate their family backgrounds, so that is how the book begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marina English
• Release date: Jul 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301021895

Marina English

I was born and raised in the Soviet Union, and after graduating from secondary school, where I specialized in English language, I chose a linguistic career and went to university. After completing my PhD I taught English for many years at a State University, during which time I also co-authored two Russian↔English language books. Only now, in my 50s, having retired from my job as Associate Professor of English Language, married, and moved to England am I able to devote my time and energy to writing. The ‘Chance to Live’ story evolved gradually, from its beginnings in 2008 when I wrote a short story for my son, who intended to adapt it as a script for use in a film project at his acting school in Hollywood. However, I found the theme was just too intriguing for a short story, and became very involved with the characters and their plight. What could happen to them? I thought. How could their lives develop? I found it impossible to ignore these questions, and so the original short story blossomed into a complete novel. I was very much absorbed with the theme of a family colluding to protect one of their number, whose nonconformist sexual orientation was something completely taboo in Soviet and Post Soviet Russia. The story is largely the product of my imagination but draws on my experience of life under the Soviet system, including anecdotal material provided by friends and relatives. Also, with the fall of the Soviet Union many revelations became available about ‘The Evil Empire’, and I used some of these to fill in the plot in such a way that it is both a credible and compelling read. There are sequels planned, and they are currently at the plot outline stage, so watch this space. Contact the author: [e-mail]

Book preview

PROLOGUE

June 1995, Moscow

This amazing story of deadly passion and unwavering family loyalty was revealed to me in a most unusual way, beginning at Moscow’s Sheremet’evo Airport, where I was waiting for my flight to New York. I was going to America to attend an annual book fair in Boston and I could barely believe it, as being raised in the Soviet Union I could never have dreamed of being able to go to any of the so called ‘Western countries’. I considered myself extremely lucky, though I’m not one of those people who rely on good luck or complain about their bad luck if things go wrong. I think it’s more important to spot a chance in life and to grab it when given. That’s what I did when the publishing house in Boston became interested in translating my latest book and publishing it in America. I agreed terms and signed the contract. And so there I was, on my way to the New World!

I had been invited to present my latest book at the book fair, which was very exciting. But I was also supposed to do some lecturing at the University of Boston, and that made me extremely nervous! I am not a lecturer, I am not even a historian, but a writer of fiction. It’s just that I had written a number of essays, which attempted to analyse the tragedy of the Russian people in different historical epochs, and luckily my work aroused some interest in America. The problem was how to cover in just a few lectures the tragedy of that vast country, which had been tormented for decades if not for centuries? Being a writer, I thought that it would be so much better, if I could describe the fate of a few people. To develop believable characters that people could care about and identify with.

I was sitting in the comfortable armchair in the departure lounge for the first class passengers, nonchalantly watching my would-be fellow passengers, who walked around, crossing the lounge, using the stairs, having a drink in the bar, talking, reading, laughing or just being quiet. Watching all these people had drawn me into a philosophical mood, and I started wondering what they were doing with their chances in life, and whether they considered themselves lucky or not.

I had noticed one of my fellow travellers, a handsome and well groomed man in his mid thirties, who was sitting at the bar sipping his cognac. He glanced at me over the rim of his glass and as our eyes met, he grinned and raised his glass in a cheerful salute. He certainly looked content with life! I smiled back and wondered if it would be of any interest to start a conversation, but at that moment a barely readable voice on the public address system interrupted my thoughts, announcing something, first in Russian and then in English, and some passengers began moving towards the departure gate. Managing to hear the words ‘New York’ amongst the cacophony of sounds, I moved with the rest of the passengers.

My vis-à-vis also stood up and started walking smoothly, almost gliding past other passengers with the grace of a professional dancer. I must confess that I was intrigued, who was this man? He must be well off to be able to go to America as a first class passenger, so perhaps he was a famous ballet dancer who I failed to recognise? Or maybe he was an American, going back after visiting Russia? After I had boarded, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the man who had drawn my attention and stirred my imagination, happened to be my neighbour on the plane. So I took my chance and started talking to him, and that is how the story unfolded.

Often do we read these words at the opening of a book of fiction, This book is not based on real events. Any similarity between characters and events of the book and real people and events is accidental. This is a work of fiction. Well, this fascinating story is based on real events, and was relayed to me by a complete stranger – only specific details and people’s names were changed, for obvious reasons. We talked throughout the long flight to New York, rather I mostly listened to my new acquaintance who was going to America to promote his new entertainment project.

My new companion – I called him Slava Kot – told me the story of his life, which was entwined in the most fascinating way with the lives of his dearest friends. With nostalgic feeling he spoke about those who were close to him all the years when he was on the way to success. What a kaleidoscope of events: passion, hatred, betrayal, envy, rivalry, even murder all coming together in this exciting story.

~***~

Part One

Chapter 1

1962-1980, Leningrad

Slava Kot

Slava’s life seemed destined to be dull and disappointing, until he met the two men who were to become his dearest friends. He was born into a middle class Jewish family, in Leningrad (Tzar Nickolas II renamed St Petersburg as Petrograd in 1914, and the communists renamed it Leningrad in 1924 and back to St Petersburg on 06 September 1991). His parents were both ‘people of art’, as they put it themselves, in reality they played in the Philharmonics. Neither of them was especially talented, but they could tell good music from bad and they encouraged their son in his musical interests. As with many Jewish families, their son was considered a genius child, a very talented boy. Slava could pick up tunes by ear and naturally sang in tune, and was often moved to tears or ecstasy by his favourite music. He was eager to perform any role required just as long as he could interact with an audience, he beamed with pride and joy when they applauded him – he just loved performing. His school specialised in teaching music and English, and he was an enthusiastic pupil. His ambition was to study at the Academy of Music and to become a famous composer.

But being Jewish in the Soviet Union meant one could be denied certain opportunities, and becoming a student of a privileged institution was one of them. The examiners had very strict instructions about those eligible to pass the entrance exams, which didn’t normally include Jewish applicants who would have to enchant the examiner in order to pass. And it so happened that the ‘young genius’ of the Kot family, was failed by the examiners. It was the first heavy blow that the young man had ever received in his life.

Slava’s father managed, through his numerous ‘connections’, to get his son a job as an assistant in the Philharmonics where his parents worked. It wasn’t much, the money was nearly nonexistent and it wasn’t at all exciting, but it was a job and being jobless in the Soviet Union was not an option as it was a criminal offence. Slava hated his job because it had nothing to do with his idea of becoming famous. It was so humiliating for a real talent like him, to accept the miserable position of an ‘errand boy’, as he was called in the orchestra.

Slava’s dull life at the Philharmonics started to change when two very talented older musicians took an interest in him – Eugeny Krassilnokov was 35, and Felix Kaplan at 45 seemed really old! They found Slava interesting and even invited him for a coffee, which made the lad very happy and he swaggered with pride. That day was the beginning of their friendship, and they soon became inseparable. Slava constantly boasted about his new and influential friends. Little did he know that meeting Eugeny and Felix would change his life forever, drawing him into an exciting new world. A world ruled by passions, a world where people loved and murdered to protect their love, sacrificing outsiders in order to protect themselves.

Slava had grown up in the atmosphere of admiration and adoration among his family and their friends and was used to the company of older people, so he felt comfortable with his new friends. Especially when they both praised his instrumental and singing skills, always finding words sweet to the ears of this vain young man, You have such talent . . . and oh my, you have such style . . . everyone will love you. Besides, they were generous and always paid for Slava when they went out together. They bought him clothes and always provided surprise presents for their ‘little boy’ – real sugar daddies. Although he was just seventeen, he preferred the company of his new friends to anybody else.

Eugeny was strikingly handsome and always dressed immaculately in a smart suit and shirt, he taught young Slava to appreciate good clothes. You must not try to economise on your clothes, he used to say. Remember that a mean man pays twice. It’s always worth having a pair of expensive shoes and a designer shirt or two in your wardrobe; you can then improvise with your other stuff and always look classy.

Felix was lean and tall with a handsome face that, miraculously, looked tanned all the year, and his salt-and-pepper hair was always cut to the latest fashion. Felix’s influence and Eugeny’s good nature protected Slava from the teasing by the musicians, and shielded him from many of the world’s injustices. They were maybe overprotective, as if they didn’t want the outer world to touch their Slava, as if they wanted him to stay innocent and pure forever.

Both Felix and Eugeny were very talented musicians. They would spend hours playing music, improvising, composing, or just talking about their work. Slava loved being around them, just listening and watching these two inspired musicians. They became his teachers and role models, gladly sharing their skills with the lad, helping him to develop his natural talents. Slava became a frequent visitor in both Felix’s and Eugeny’s homes – the two friends lived in adjacent apartments. Also, Felix’s daughter Kira was married to Eugeny, so they all were part of one big family. Unfortunately Felix’s wife, Svetlana, had been paralysed in a car accident some years ago, but Slava really liked her as she was always cheerful and friendly, always treating him with cookies and affectionately teasing him about his job at the theatre, Our young manager.

But it was Felix’s mother, Eleonora, that Slava liked most of all. Although quite old she was still a classy lady and she always dressed immaculately. She had a calm and dignified presence that made an impression on people, even on young men. She used to be a talented singer and was very popular in pre-war times. Slava was star-struck and admired her enormously, becoming fascinated with her life story.

~***~

Chapter 2

1917-1923, Petrograd

Eleonora

Eleonora hadn’t had an easy life. She came from a respectable Jewish family in St Petersburg (renamed as Petrograd in 1914), where her father was the well known jeweller, Isaac Shapiro. The family was extremely rich, and there were rumours that Isaac sponsored the Tzar’s expenses when young Nickolas had overrun the limit of the crown’s funds.

Isaac and his wife Rachel had three children, but no male heir. Isaac often teased that they would have to wait for a grandson to take over the family business, as he couldn’t imagine a woman in charge of it. The girls were brought up in the traditional middle class way, with governesses and tutors to educate them and to teach etiquette. They were a remarkable threesome, all very good looking, fluent in three languages and able to play several musical instruments. They also showed talent in singing, especially Eleonora, who was serious in her preparation for a career on the stage. Of the three sisters, she was the most determined and knew what she wanted.

You should have been born a boy, Isaac often laughed, as his daughter surprised him with her assertive behaviour. But don’t worry, he went on, I’ll find you a good husband and you will settle down at home and concentrate on giving me healthy grandsons!

Eleonora didn’t want to upset her father, and she would never dream of disobeying him, but her dreams lay elsewhere: she wanted to become a singer and to perform on the stage. As for marriage, she didn’t want to think about it yet. One day she would meet a handsome and talented young man, and they would fall in love. And only then would she think of having a family of her own – her dearest father would have to wait.

The First World War was bad for Isaac’s business. He lost a lot of his money, and things got worse after the Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, took power in 1917. The so called ‘bourgeoisie’, the business community and other people with money, were driven from their grand properties into communal apartments. Isaac and his family had to move from their three storey house into two rooms of a communal apartment, where they had to share a common kitchen and bathroom with two other families. Isaac not only lost his money, he also lost his spirit. There was no hope, no way out for him and his family, and he was desperate. Now there was nothing left for him but sit by the window day after day, looking at people walking, running, fighting, killing each other in the street below.

Isaac managed to hide some golden jewellery. His most precious and beautiful pieces were meant for the girls when they got married. But in the winter of 1917-1918 Isaac’s family became destitute, there was nothing left to eat, so Rachel decided to take a risk and sell some of their jewellery, which was potentially dangerous with murderous criminals everywhere. She took a small golden ring and went to the market to try and exchange it for food. She never came back! Her husband and daughters never found out what had happened to her. Isaac couldn’t believe that his dearest wife was gone. He stayed awake at night, listening to every noise from the street, and he ran to the door every time there was a knock on it. Finally he became so exhausted from grief and fatigue that the girls persuaded him to go to bed. There he stayed for days.

There was no other option: one of the girls had to find a job. Esther, the eldest girl at 18, considered herself extremely lucky when she found a job as a secretary for a Red Army Commander. It was indeed a great luck, as it not only provided them with money for living, but also gave them some security. Unfortunately, the Commander took a fancy to this beautiful young girl. He was married but it didn’t make any difference, he wanted her and she had to comply or forget the job and watch her family suffer. It was a terrible disgrace for a respectable girl from a good Jewish family.

All the years that Esther worked with the Commander, Eleonora felt guilty that her sister had to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of the family. Eleonora was desperate to take at least some burden from Esther’s shoulders. She looked for a job, but wherever she tried to apply the men looked at her hungrily and made lustful remarks that spooked her – she was terrified of following in her sister’s footsteps. It was her love of theatre and music that helped in the end.

Eleonora was looking for a job in one of the big hotels but there was nothing for her. She was about to leave when the sound of laughter and chatter attracted her attention. Looking back she saw a group of young men coming down the stairs. Some of them were carrying musical instruments. It was a jazz band, one of the first jazz bands in Soviet Russia. Eleonora stopped and stared at the young men; they all looked so boyish and yet so serious with all their instruments. The group was nearly by the main entrance, when one of them, a tall and slim man in long black coat and broad-brimmed hat looked back at Eleonora. He had a lean face with a long thin nose and a wide mouth. He looked down at her with his slightly slant light grey eyes, and a broad grin suddenly spread across his lips, Hello there! I wonder if you are not too busy tonight to come with us to listen to some good music?

Are you talking to me? Eleonora asked in amazement. You want me to come with you?

I certainly do! And I bet you won’t be disappointed! We’re a group of pretty good musicians!

The girl was still uncertain, it was all happening so quickly, she didn’t know if she could trust these people as they were complete strangers. But her uncertainty lasted only a couple of seconds. All right, I’ll come with you, thank you, she said shyly.

Come on then, don’t make the guys wait! and he offered her his hand.

By the way, I’m David, David Kaplan, he said, pulling Eleonora into the big car which was waiting at the hotel entrance. And who are you?

I’m Eleonora . . .

The name is as beautiful as its owner, said the young musician.

That evening turned up to be the beginning of new life for Eleonora. She and David fell for each other – it was love at first sight. They couldn’t spend a day without seeing each other. It was all as Eleonora had imagined and better! She had met the man of her dreams: kind and full of good humour, sensitive and intelligent, and seeming to know her every need. Besides, they shared the same passion for music.

David was the only son of the musician and composer Felix Kaplan, who was well known in Russia and in Europe. Old Felix wanted his son to be a musician too, and David had been playing music for as long as he could remember. David’s family were very particular about a future wife for their son: she would have to be from a respectable Jewish family, and preferably with musical background. Eleonora was a perfect match. At first Eleonora just followed David and his group to their performances, but in a couple of weeks she started singing with them and this turned out to be a great success. She had a beautiful voice and she could sing anything from a romance to an operatic piece. She had begun to realise her dream. Soon she will be earning a lot of money, and Esther will be able to leave her hateful job. The young couple became engaged, and started planning their wedding. Eleonora couldn’t imagine herself any happier: everything was going her way. Sometimes, when she went to bed in the evening, she lay with her eyes wide open, picturing her family’s future and thinking, I must have been born under a lucky star, after all!

However fate interrupted this happy period, and it ended as abruptly as it had started. Firstly Eleonora’s younger sister Moira, who had been poorly for a long time, died. The family was devastated and the wedding, of course, had to be postponed. Old Isaac became bedridden. He resembled a helpless child now, so Esther and Eleonora had to take turns to look after him. David often came to help and played for the old man, who seemed to be recovering slowly. In about a month he was out of danger and began to go out on his own to take slow walks along the Neva River.

A new date for the wedding was set, and Eleonora started to make a list of the guests. Then another disaster came out of the blue: Esther found out that she was pregnant. For several years she had slept with her boss, the Red Army Commander, and none of her relatives had suspected that Esther was in fact a sex toy for a married man. Now that she was pregnant, concealing the reality was not going to be easy, it was necessary to do something.

I don’t know what to do, cried Esther in desperation, hugging Eleonora. Can you think of any way out? Anything . . . ?

Eleonora held her sister, crying softly, I’m at a loss, I can’t think of anything . . . You know Esther, I think we need to confess to Father, maybe he can think of a way out. He’s our only hope . . .

Isaac took the news surprisingly calmly. He sat leaning back in his favourite armchair by the window, and only the tense grip of his hands on the shabby wooden arms of the old chair showed his distress. As Eleonora stood facing him, she suddenly realised how old he had grown, how pale and tortured his skinny face looked, how completely white his hair had become. And yet, he was the head of the family, he was the father whose little girl had been disgraced, and it was his responsibility to find a way out.

Why didn’t you tell me earlier? He asked Eleonora in a barely audible voice. Do I not deserve your confidence? Have I ever treated you badly or been rude with you? Haven’t your mother and I taught you to rely on us, your parents? You have offended me deeply by your mistrust.

Eleonora burst out crying and went on her knees, embracing her father. Forgive me Father, it was all my fault! Esther confided in me and I was afraid to tell you. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I thought you would be mad at her and make her leave her job, but we couldn’t survive without it. Eleonora couldn’t talk any more as uncontrollable sobs shook her body.

Isaac caressed her hair tenderly. Do not cry my little girl. I know how hard it was for you. And Esther, poor, poor girl . . . my dear daughter . . . so brave . . . so unhappy. I should have guessed, yes, I should have realised what the truth was. I didn’t want to know. I was so preoccupied with my sorrow that I forgot my own daughters. Never, never leave your children in trouble. Do you hear me? Never give up on fighting for them. It was my fault, and I am going to make it up to you. Don’t worry, your father will take care of everything. The girls went to bed, hoping for the best.

The next day, after Esther and Eleonora had left the apartment, Isaac went to see the Commander. The old man didn’t tell anybody about his decision, he wanted to act on his own and to try and reason with the officer. There was a guard by the entrance door, at the head of balustraded steps. The old man spoke to the guard, My name is Isaac Shapiro. I’d like to see the Commander . . .

What is your business? asked the guard, who was just a young lad, not a hardened soldier.

Err . . . a private matter, Isaac stuttered nervously. It’s a strictly private matter.

You’ll have to wait there, the guard said pointing to the bottom of the steps, well away from the entrance. I’ll inform the Commander’s secretary, and he dismissed Isaac with a wave of his hand.

After half-an-hour waiting Isaac was cold, ill, and on the verge of collapsing. Another half hour passed and still no result. The old man sat down on a step trying to keep warm, hugging himself with his arms. He could hardly remember why he was there, what he was doing in this cold. When finally the security guard came up to Isaac to tell him to go away (the Commander had no intention to see him), the old man was lying down and barely breathing. The guard didn’t want any trouble during his duty, so he called an ambulance and told the doctor that he had no idea who the sick man was and why he was lying on the steps.

Old Isaac was taken to hospital. It was several hours until the doctor saw him, and by then the old man’s condition had seriously deteriorated and he was delirious and feverish. The doctor noticed that the old patient was wearing good clean clothes and didn’t look like a tramp or a drunk, so he had the unconscious man taken into the emergency unit, where they did what they could to help him.

Eleonora only noticed her father’s absence when she came home in the evening, accompanied by David who had come to see Isaac. It was clear that the old man hadn’t been in since morning, as the food was left untouched on the window sill, where Eleonora had put it in the morning to keep it cool. It was clear that something bad had happened. The neighbours were unaware of Isaac’s whereabouts. He left about nine, said the girl from the room next door. I was just leaving for school. He was dressed in his good coat. Eleonora panicked: her father had left in the morning, wearing his best overcoat, the one he only put on for special occasions.

We must go round the hospitals, check out if he was admitted into the emergency, said David, who was trying to keep calm and coolheaded. I’ll find a cab. Wait for me here.

At the third hospital they were told that an old man without any ID had been admitted two hours earlier. And it was Isaac, lying in bed in the emergency unit, unaware of his daughter’s presence. Nobody could answer Eleonora’s What? Why? How? Where? She was devastated. The doctor said that the old man had been delivered by an ambulance from the Big Building on Liteiny. Ordinary people didn’t go to this building as it housed the secret police in Petrograd. Why would the old man want to go there?

Esther, it’s because of Esther! Eleonora suddenly guessed. He went to talk to the Commander! What have they done to him! Oh, Father! She remembered her conversation with Isaac the day before. It was me who told him about Esther! It is my fault!

Eleonora burst into tears and couldn’t stop even as David held her close and whispered in her ear: Shhhhh my dear, keep quiet, you don’t want to talk about family affairs here. Let’s go home now. Crying desperately, she followed him.

Later that evening, when Esther came home and was told the news, she was devastated, and the girls spent a sleepless nigh, crying and comforting each other. Next day David accompanied both daughters to the hospital, where they were told that Isaac had died in his sleep during the night.

Oh, my God, it’s all my fault! It’s because of me! That was all Esther managed to say. No matter how hard Eleonora and David tried to reason with her, Esther remained distraught. She didn’t say a word or cry during the funeral, just sat there with dry pain laden eyes, staring at something only she knew.

The day after the funeral Esther disappeared. Poor Eleonora didn’t know what to think. Unfortunately, the mystery became clear by the end of the day as the girl’s body was found in the back room at her workplace. She had hung herself. There was no suicide note, but everything was clear. Hearing the news about Esther, Eleonora fainted. Mercifully, she fell into a trance, oblivious to reality and to pain.

Later, when Eleonora thought about the tragedies of that winter, she couldn’t recollect the months which followed her sister’s suicide. They all turned into one horrible night full of pain and confusion. It was only thanks to David, due to the connections he had in the medical world, that Eleonora stayed alive and kept her sanity. By the end of the spring she started recognising David and responding to his questions, and in the first month of the summer, during the long white nights, David took Eleonora on her first walk. She was still very weak and had to hold tightly on David’s arm. But she was moving on her own, breathing deeply the fresh air from the Neva and looking at the grand river as if it was the first time she had seen it. By and by her interest in life returned.

They sat on the bench on the promenade, the sky pale blue above them, the water leaden gray. We are going to get married as soon as you are stronger, said David, and then we are going to move to Moscow, I have a contract with the symphony orchestra.

Eleonora turned her head slowly and looked her fiancé in the eyes, Yes, take me away from here.

The wedding wasn’t as grandiose as it had been originally planned, only close friends and relatives were invited, but still it was a wedding and Eleonora was happy. A new life lay ahead in Moscow. She had lost all her family, but she was now married, and David was her entire world. It was a bit scary to leave everything behind and to move to a different place, but at the same time exciting. However, she had a feeling that she would come back one day, that she was not saying goodbye to her home town for ever.

~***~

Chapter 3

1923 - 1941, Moscow

Eleonora, David, Felix

Moscow was a lot busier than Petrograd, brash and less refined, but there was a lot of work for musicians. David was kept busy and worked most evenings. He conducted the big symphony orchestra, he played first violin in the Bolshoi Theatre orchestra, he composed, he did some teaching in the conservatoire, every day involved with the passion of his life: music.

Eleonora’s singing career steadily developed, soon her lovely voice and charming presence made her one of the most loved performers of Russian romance. David had earned quite a reputation as a conductor and a musician, and was well paid which made him relatively well off. Eleonora didn’t have any of those little domestic problems which drove many other women mad. She always had the best food, wore nice clothes, and they had a big apartment in a prestigious building, with other creative people, such as musicians and actors as their neighbours. Her musical career was surprisingly successful, not as great as her husband’s, but steady and fulfilling, keeping her busy and bringing in some extra money that could be used for the little luxuries of life. It was the happiest period in the young couple’s life.

In the spring of 1934, Eleonora became pregnant. The news was very exciting for both her and David. The pregnancy was easy, Eleonora felt very well and looked radiant. She resembled the Madonna, with deep dark eyes and a faint smile on her lips, and black wavy hair that framed her delicate features. Eleonora still performed on the stage but at the end of the seventh month, when her pregnancy became more obvious, she decided to take a break.

I’m giving up, if not for good, then at least for several years, she said to David. I want to have a healthy baby, and I don’t want to leave it in the care of a nanny. I want to look after it myself. David was so happy that he would have agreed to anything his wife wanted.

Eleonora went into labour on a cold and clear February morning. David was still asleep, and she had to wake him up. It’s time, she said, the baby is coming! David was shaking all over as he got dressed and helped his wife into her fur-coat. They went out into a frosty dawn, with the sky half dark blue and half blazing scarlet. David hailed a cab, and in twenty minutes they were at the hospital. Another couple of minutes, and Eleonora was on her way to the delivery room.

The delivery was not as easy as Eleonora had anticipated and took the best part of the day. When the nurse finally came down to tell the news to David, he was barely alive out of anxiety for Eleonora.

All is fine, daddy! You have a beautiful son! the nurse’s words seemed to be coming from far away.

How is she? How is my wife? David was on his feet in a moment, ready to act, to do something, though he didn’t know what. Is she all right? Can I see her?

The nurse laughed, I don’t remember seeing any other new father who was quite as impatient as you! Go home now, rest, and then come again tomorrow. Your wife is fine, don’t worry. She’s resting now.

And so David had to go home and wait. He thought he would not be able to sleep, but the moment his head touched the pillow, he fell deeply asleep.

Eleonora and the baby were home in a week, and during that week David had learned everything he could about babies: the hours of their feeding and sleeping; the reasons they cry or don’t cry; the ways of dressing the newly-born to keep them warm, but not make them sweaty; the right way of giving them a bath, etc. If he could, he would have learned to breastfeed.

There was no question about the child’s name: he had to be Felix, named after his grandad, just as David had been named after his.

Eleonora and David turned out to be wonderful parents, their little son meant everything to them. Felix was growing up in a world of love and understanding, a tender and sensitive boy, perhaps a little shy. His problems, no matter how important they seemed to him, always seemed to be easily solved with the help of his loving parents

Felix first started to play the piano when he was just two. From a very early age he heard music and songs at home, they became the essence of his life. It was as natural for him to sing, as it was to speak: his first spoken words were the verses of his favourite song. Eleonora didn’t go back to the stage, she stayed at home, teaching Felix to play the piano, to sing, to read and write. By the age of five the boy could read, and played the piano beautifully, so David decided that it was time to start teaching his son to play another instrument, the violin. Eleonora often took Felix to the theatre, especially when his father was conducting. The boy made friends with all the musicians, who adored the child and admired his natural musical talent. Felix hardly ever played with other boys of his age; his mother preferred to keep him by her side, providing him with all the company he needed. Little Felix adored his parents, and the three of them enjoyed every free minute together.

In the summer of 1941 David had two weeks off, and the family planned to go to Leningrad (Petrograd was renamed as Leningrad in 1924), to spend time with Felix’s grandparents. Felix was very excited about the trip, he loved travelling, and more than anything, he was looking forward to going to the seaside with his grandad. The tickets were bought for the first of July - they had to remain in Moscow until then, as in June there were still some concerts for David to conduct. The Kaplans never made their trip to Leningrad: on 22nd of June 1941 the Germans attacked the Soviet Union.

~***~

Chapter 4

September 1980, Leningrad, Sochi.

Slava Kot

Slava eagerly anticipated his eighteenth birthday but with some impatience, like a child waiting for Christmas. He was sure his friends would think of something special, something unforgettable, something wonderful! There was a family dinner planned for midday, with all aunts, uncles and cousins coming to wish him happy birthday. Getting together was a good chance to gossip about those who couldn’t make it to the party, and to criticise the Government.

But the main reason why hardly any of the Kot clan would miss this gathering was the superb food. Even during these unstable times at the beginning of the eighties, Slava’s mother Ira and grandmother Fanya managed to create culinary masterpieces in their kitchen, and those invited to the party usually hadn’t had a proper meal for ages so as to maximise their appetite!

Slava enjoyed mixing with his family and relatives, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the evening, when he was going out with Eugeny and Felix. It was going to be a surprise: the two friends hadn’t told their ‘little boy’ where they were taking him. Finally the doorbell rang and Slava rushed to answer it. There were two men at the door, Felix and Eugeny, and they looked really impressive. Upon seeing them, all the women, young and not so young, started making silly remarks and laughing louder than usual. Slava’s friends were charming with the ladies, but they declined the invitation to stay and excusing themselves for taking away the birthday boy, they left.

It’s time for the men’s games now, our boy is grown up, Eugeny said, flashing his snow-white smile at the audience and closing the door behind him. As soon as the door closed, the women all started talking at once, interrupting each other, the object of their interest being the two attractive men, and the same question was asked by more than one: ARE THEY MARRIED? There were enough single women who would love to . . . Mikhail, Slava’s father quickly cooled the ladies down, Yes, of course these two men are married, Eugeny is Felix’s son-in-law.

The two friends led Slava to the waiting taxi. Where are we going? the young man asked when he saw that the driver was turning into the road leading away from the centre.

You’ll see. It’s a surprise! Close your eyes and don’t open them until we tell you, said Eugeny. Slava, grinning happily, closed his eyes and leaned back on his seat.

In about half an hour the taxi came to a final stop and Slava was allowed to open his eyes. He was surprised to see that the car had brought them to the airport. Of all places! The airport restaurant was certainly not the best choice for the special celebration, and Slava couldn’t hide his disappointment. But his friends seemed not to notice his mood, as they lead the way to the departure lounge. Where are we going? Slava was really intrigued. The reality was better than anything he could imagine. They were going to Sochi! Eugeny and Felix were taking their young friend to the hotel in the mountains, to celebrate his birthday in an especially reserved large suite with a sea view and the stars looking down from the black southern sky!

At the hotel a big table was laid with such generosity that Slava got completely lost, not knowing even where to look. Meat, salads, cheese, fruit, nuts, and of course wine! Wonderful red wines, sourced from famous regions in Abkhazia and Georgia. There was only