Pontypridd 07 - Spoils of War

by Catrin Collier

  ‘I’d appreciate it if you would.’

  ‘Something wrong?’

  ‘I have to talk to you.’

  ‘You’re not –’

  ‘Please, Angelo, not here. Can we go to the park?’

  ‘Give me five minutes.’

  ‘I’ll meet you on the bridge.’ Unable to sit and look at him a moment longer she turned and fled.

  Charlie and Theo were chanting nonsense rhymes and laughing as they rounded the corner of Tyfica Road. Charlie looked ahead and saw Huw and Peter standing waiting at the foot of the steps. He pointed out Peter to Theo, then froze as three men in uniform stepped out of a car parked in front of his house. He recognised one of them, a slightly built, foreign-looking captain with dark hair and skin.

  Suddenly he realised why he’d been feeling uneasy. It wasn’t the house, or even his separation from Alma, devastating as that was. It was something far worse. The fear of losing control over his own and his family’s lives, just as he had sixteen years before.

  ‘You don’t have to talk to them.’

  ‘Yes I do, Huw. Peter, take Theo,’ lifting Theo from his shoulders he handed him to his brother, ‘into the kitchen and introduce him to your mother. Then ask Mrs Lane to make tea, or would you gentlemen prefer coffee?’ He turned to the officers.

  ‘We’ve travelled some distance so coffee would be most welcome, Feo,’ Captain Melerski answered flatly, but politely. He looked to his companions. ‘I would like to talk to Captain Raschenko alone.’

  ‘Peter, the kitchen,’ Charlie prompted.

  ‘Not until I know what’s going on,’ Peter bit back belligerently.

  ‘And none of us will find that out until I’ve had a chance to talk to Captain Melerski. Perhaps you gentlemen would like to wait in here.’ Charlie opened the door to the dining-room as Peter capitulated and carried Theo into the kitchen.

  One of the officers looked to the captain. ‘Captain Melerski …’

  ‘It’s quite all right –’ Charlie checked the man’s insignia – ‘Lieutenant. I have no intention of bolting anywhere.’

  ‘Captain Raschenko and I are old friends, we have a lot of catching up to do,’ Edmund Melerski murmured.

  ‘We are here –’

  ‘I know why we are here, Lieutenant, and I am the senior officer present.’ The captain held the dining-room door open, closing it firmly when the lieutenant reluctantly joined his companion.

  ‘Police Constable Huw Davies,’ Huw introduced himself. ‘Do you mind telling me what this is about, sir?’

  ‘I have some confidential information for Captain Raschenko.’

  ‘Shall we go in here?’ Charlie opened the door to the parlour. ‘Huw is a friend, Edmund,’ he explained as Huw followed them into the room. Taking one of the chairs that flanked the cold, empty fireplace he sat back and waited, just as he’d done the night Huw had brought the news that Masha was alive.

  Setting the briefcase he was holding on to the chaise longue, Edmund paced to the window as Huw moved a chair protectively close to where Charlie was sitting.

  ‘Feo, I don’t know where to begin. When they asked me to do this I refused. Then they warned they’d ask someone who didn’t know you to come here and I thought that would be even worse …’

  ‘Sit down, Edmund.’

  The captain obediently took the chair opposite Charlie’s but Huw noticed he was unable to look Charlie in the eye. ‘It’s the Yalta agreement, Feo. The Allies have made a lot of concessions to the Soviets.’

  ‘When do they want me back?’

  ‘Immediately. It’s happening everywhere, even America. The Soviet Government has supplied the allied countries with lists of Russian citizens known to be living abroad. Some of the people left during the revolution in 1917, but the Soviets are demanding immediate repatriation of every one of their nationals, irrespective of how many years ago they left Russia or how long they’ve lived in their adoptive countries. The Allies signed the agreement in the hope of avoiding future difficulties with Stalin. There is no doubt that it is legally binding and all the signatory countries regard it as so, but that doesn’t mean nothing can be done in your case. You have friends, Feo. A lot of friends prepared to help you in any way they can. Just say the word and we’ll –’

  Huw frowned as comprehension dawned. ‘Are you saying that the Russians want Charlie to go back there? After taking his home, his wife, arresting him … ?’

  ‘Huw, thank you for trying to help, but nothing you say will alter this situation.’

  ‘You can’t go back, Charlie. You’re as Welsh as I am now. You fought for us during the war. You’re married to Alma …’

  ‘A bigamous marriage,’ Edmund reminded him sadly. ‘Feo, why didn’t you take out British citizenship when you jumped ship in Cardiff dock before the war? The Soviet Government would still want you back but at least we could have put up a better legal argument for keeping you here.’

  ‘Because I was an illegal immigrant. Because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself and risk being sent back. Because I just wanted to get on with what was left of my life as best I could.’

  ‘We looked at every legal angle when we got the demand. There are no loopholes.’

  ‘And Masha?’

  ‘A Soviet national. We might be able to put up an argument for you on the basis of your war service but not her.’

  ‘Peter?’

  ‘He is your son. His name is on the list of Russian nationals for repatriation, but he is not important in the scheme of things. It is you they want. We both know what you did in the war. It is your knowledge, your training and your expertise they are after.’

  ‘How soon is immediate?’

  ‘There’s a Russian ship leaving Cardiff dock on the morning tide tomorrow. They want you on it.’

  ‘In God’s name, Charlie!’ Huw leaped to his feet. ‘You can’t possibly consider going. You have to fight this. You -’

  Ignoring Huw, Charlie looked to the captain. ‘You have bargaining powers?’

  ‘I can contact my superior.’

  ‘There is a telephone in the hall. Tell them Masha and I will leave with you – quietly – without causing any trouble, but only on condition Peter is allowed to remain behind as a future British citizen. Tell them – tell them I need someone to look after my business interests and act as guardian to my British-born son.’

  ‘Feo, your friend is right, we could fight this.’

  ‘As you’ve pointed out, I could, but not Masha, and I’ll not leave her to face Soviet justice alone a second time. We’ll meet our Russian destiny together but not Peter. You said he’s not important to them. Please, Edmund, for the sake of our friendship do whatever needs doing. The boy deserves a future he can believe in.’

  ‘I swear, Feodor, I’ll do everything I can for him.’

  ‘One more thing before you telephone. We both know what’s been happening to repatriated Russians since the Yalta agreement. The shootings, the ten- and fifteen-year sentences, the show trials and hangings.’

  ‘How-’

  ‘News travels, even to Pontypridd. Tell whoever’s at the end of the line that I won’t leave Masha and neither of us will walk through the gates of another camp again.’

  ‘They’ve promised you will be honoured. Given a house, a good position.’

  ‘We both know the value of Soviet promises.’

  ‘Please, at least consider fighting this.’

  ‘Not at the cost of abandoning Masha. And even if I did fight, Edmund, then what? You might succeed in delaying the inevitable for a week, a month – who knows – even a year. But they’ll win in the end. Far more important people than me have been sent back and we both know it. Send Peter in here when you make the call. Huw, you won’t mind if I talk to my son in private.’

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Angelo ran breathlessly over the Park Bridge, waving frantically when he saw Liza leaning on the parapet at the far end. Charging towards her, he wrapped h
is arms round her waist.

  ‘I got Tony to take over.’

  ‘I’m not pregnant, Angelo.’

  He took a deep breath. ‘I won’t pretend I’m not relieved. I’d much rather marry you properly in a church than carry on the way we are.’

  ‘There’s no easy way to say this. I like you, Angelo. I respect you. You’re a wonderful man but I won’t be seeing you any more.’

  He stared at her in total disbelief. ‘Liza – what’s happened – what … ?’

  ‘It’s not you. It’s me. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else.’

  ‘But I love you. You love me.’ He stood before her bewildered, uncomprehending, and she had to force herself to continue.

  ‘I’m sorry, Angelo. I only thought I loved you.’

  ‘I should never have made love to you.’

  ‘It’s not that.’ Unable to cope with the pain mirrored in his eyes, she stared down at the pools and eddies of swirling, coal-blackened water. ‘I’ve met someone else. I wasn’t looking for it to happen but it did. I hate myself for hurting you but I can’t see any way out for either of us other than this. I can’t live a lie and in the end you wouldn’t want me to.’ She tried to touch his hand but he pulled it back. ‘I know it’s no consolation but I really thought that you were the one. Then I met this other man and he made me realise you weren’t.’

  ‘How long has it been going on between you?’ he demanded hoarsely.

  ‘Not long. I’ve only met him three times.’

  ‘Then you can’t possibly know him.’

  ‘I don’t, at least not everything about him. But I know enough to realise that I love him.’

  ‘More than me?’

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘That’s it, “you think so”. You can’t possibly know, Liza …’

  ‘I shouldn’t have said that, Angelo. I do love him. With all my heart. You’ll always be a very special person but –’

  ‘Not special enough for you to marry,’ he broke in contemptuously.

  ‘I can’t, Angelo, not now.’

  ‘But you will marry this other person?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘He’s already asked you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And you’ve told him you will.’

  ‘Not yet, because I wanted to see you first.’

  ‘Who is he, Liza? Do I know him?’ His voice was cold but his eyes burned feverishly as he glared at her.

  ‘Peter Raschenko.’

  ‘Peter! That kid! You can’t possibly be serious. He’s a lunatic. He asked you to sleep with him. He’s –’

  ‘I’ve heard all the arguments, Angelo. Auntie Bethan went through every one.’

  ‘I can’t believe that you’d throw yourself away on that boy. He’s sixteen, for God’s sake. Liza, think about what you’re doing.’

  ‘I have, Angelo. I’m sorry. Really, really sorry. I hope you’ll find someone else. A girl who deserves you.’

  ‘Spare me the hypocrisy, Liza.’ He looked hard at her. ‘You’re determined to marry him.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then there’s nothing more for me to say, is there?’ Turning on his heel he walked away.

  She continued to stare down at the river, shedding tears for Angelo, the misery she had caused him, and finally a few of relief that she was free to offer Peter her heart – and whatever else he should want of her.

  ‘I told you I’d never go back.’ Peter stared implacably at his father. ‘And I meant it.’

  ‘I know you did, Peter, which is why I’m doing all I can to ensure that you stay in this country.’

  ‘Safe in this house, while you take my mother back to Russia and the camps?’

  ‘They have promised your mother that we can return to our old house.’

  ‘And you believe them?’

  ‘I believe your mother believes them. And I believe she will never be truly happy outside Russia. I also know that they will never forget about me or leave me alone until I do go back.’

  ‘So you will allow them to cart you off like a piece of dirt – like an animal!’

  ‘Shouting will only upset your mother. You have to help me, Peter. We haven’t much time. Your mother and I will be leaving in less than an hour. There is a Russian ship in Cardiff; we’ll be sailing first thing tomorrow. What I want you to do, what you have to do, is convince your mother that you will follow us as soon as you have sold the house and my businesses here. She doesn’t need to know that will never happen.’

  ‘And when I don’t arrive?’

  ‘I will never leave her. I have promised her and I promise you that. But whatever happens, whatever letters come back here I want you to swear that you will stay in this country. That you will never – never – try to follow us. That you will look after your brother and help his mother all you can.’

  Peter leaned against the wall. ‘I won’t leave my mother to go back to the camps alone.’

  ‘She won’t be alone, she will be with me. You have looked after her long enough, it is my turn now.’ Charlie heard footsteps outside the door. ‘And you have Liza to think about. If you love her as you say you do, then your place is with her.’

  ‘Feo?’ Edmund knocked at the door and opened it.

  ‘Can Peter stay?’ Charlie demanded urgently.

  ‘He can remain here to look after your business interests for two years and I have my superior’s word that he will be given a temporary visa for that length of time. But I promise you, Feodor, by all that is holy, I will do everything in my power to ensure that he becomes a British citizen before the two years are up.’

  ‘A lot can happen in two years.’ Charlie smiled at Peter. ‘You could be married by then.’

  ‘When I suggested it, you laughed at me.’

  ‘Not laughed. Said you were too young. I am sorry. Even in this country you couldn’t be a boy for long.’

  ‘They want you on board the ship as soon as I can get you there, Feo.’

  ‘I have people to see.’

  ‘No people, Feo, and no letters. No scenes, no crowds and no last words that can be misinterpreted later and lead to political demonstrations, those are my orders. But you have your friend in the house.’

  ‘And both my sons.’ Charlie thought rapidly. ‘Peter, ask Mrs Lane to help your mother to pack our clothes, especially the warm ones. There are suitcases on top of the wardrobe in the spare bedroom. And food, we’ll need food and drink. Everything that won’t spoil that can be spared from the cupboards. Go and help them. Your mother will want to say goodbye and remember what I said about you following us.’

  ‘I will,’ Peter muttered sullenly.

  ‘And send Theo in with Huw.’

  ‘Father –’

  ‘Just do it, boy.’ Charlie softened his voice when he saw the expression on Peter’s face. ‘Pasha, you must have learned in the camps that there are some things that cannot be changed. I need you to be strong, to look after Theo, to help his mother manage the business you own a part of. And I want you to tell everyone I know here that if I can, I will write, and if I can’t, they can still write to me care of the Russian Embassy. Whatever the future holds for us, your mother and I would like to know that we aren’t forgotten.’

  ‘You’ll remember that, Huw?’

  ‘Tell Alma you love her, you’ll never forget her or Theo, and you want her to look after Peter.’

  ‘And my fond affection, lifelong friendship and good wishes to everyone else. I wish I could have stayed in Pontypridd to grow old with them.’

  ‘I still think you’re mad not to fight this.’

  ‘If there was a way to fight and win, I would, but there’s no way I can go up against the full might of the Soviet Government.’

  Charlie turned to Theo, who was unnaturally quiet and subdued. The presence of strange men in uniform coupled with the serious expression on his father’s face had made him forget all about football. He longed for the sec
urity of the flat above the shop and his mother’s reassuring presence but he held back, feeling that it would be disloyal to his father even to ask.

  ‘Theo.’ Charlie lifted him up and held him close. ‘You’ll look after your mother and be a good boy?’

  Theo returned Charlie’s hug because he felt it was expected of him. On impulse Charlie emptied his pocket of all his money and pressed it into Theo’s hand. The small boy’s eyes grew round in wonderment.

  ‘For me?’ he asked as Charlie set him down.

  ‘Your money box.’

  ‘Father,’ Peter opened the door, ‘Mrs Lane’s asking if you want the food packed in the hamper.’

  ‘Whatever she thinks best. Pasha, my important papers are locked in a box in my bedside cabinet, the key’s on this ring.’ He handed over all his keys. ‘There’s also a bank safety deposit box; Theo’s mother knows the number. If you don’t understand something or want to know anything about my business affairs, go to her, Huw,’ he looked to Huw, who nodded silent agreement, ‘or Andrew John.’

  ‘But –’

  ‘I won’t need them any more, Pasha. This house is yours now. Take Theo back to his mother with Huw after we’ve gone. Tell her what has happened and tell her no tears.’

  Lost for words, Peter threw his arms round his father’s neck and hugged him for the first time.

  ‘It’s time, Feo.’ Edmund Melerski was standing in the doorway.

  ‘You’re coming with us?’

  ‘Following in the car behind.’

  ‘Pasha, get my overcoat and hat and tell your mother I’ll meet her at the car.’

  Huw picked up Theo and went to the door. He turned back in time to see the captain slip Charlie a small box as he shook his hand. Anyone without a policeman’s eye and training might have missed the changeover. Charlie slid the box into his sleeve, almost as though he’d been expecting it, before embracing the captain.

  Huw set Theo down and the child went running into the kitchen.

  ‘You told them I’d prefer a bullet in the back of the skull to a camp, Edmund. Masha then myself so she wouldn’t suffer seeing me go first,’ Charlie whispered in Russian.

  ‘I told them, Feo, the pills are just insurance.’

  Charlie looked up, expecting to see Huw standing alone in the doorway but Peter was behind him, tears frozen in the corner of his eyes.