Chapter 3
December 26, London Heathrow Airport…
Sarah had left the car in the airport car park and the three of them dragged their suitcases towards the airport bus. Anna had her headphones on in the car and she now found that she could understand all the lyrics in the Russian songs. It was odd, but it stood in good stead for their holiday to Moscow. She'd be able to speak to all the Russian people, and maybe even chat up Russian men. What a thought!
They entered the Heathrow terminal via the main entrance once they'd got off the airport bus. This was the first time Anna had been to Heathrow; her mother and sister had been many times, but she never came with them when they'd flown from here. Apparently, Kate liked the shops, but Anna was only interested in the Duty Free, and possibly a few book shops. She looked up at the boards displaying the flight times, looking over at the departures board, but there was more than one Aeroflot flight.
"What time is our flight?" Anna asked.
"8:10 departure," Sarah replied. "With Aeroflot."
Anna returned her gaze to the boards.
"Ah, SU-145 then."
"Sound about right."
They walked over to the check in desks, Anna looking around at all the passengers, particularly the male ones. Some where very Russian in appearance and speaking away in a harsh, Slavic language. The man who stood out the most was a man similar in build to Maxim; fairly tall and rather stocky. He also had a stubbly face and head, and wore a long black leather coat, khaki combats and sunglasses. Sunglasses indoors and in winter? How strange. He had no suitcase with him, only a back pack and he appeared to be alone. He looked watchful, especially as he got his ticket off the man at the desk. As he left the area, Anna was sure that he had looked in her direction, although his shades hid his eyes.
"What are you looking around for?" Kate asked.
"I've never been to Heathrow before," Anna replied.
"Then you should have come with us before."
"You know I hate hot weather and beach holidays."
"The shops are the best things in Heathrow."
"And the planes…"
Anna trailed off and glanced around, spying a group of four men, all of whom were unshaven and had dark hair. They were talking in Russian about how expensive it was to by alcohol in England. One of them, who had dark blue eyes, dark hair and stubble turned to regard Anna. He smiled and winked at her, Anna feeling herself blushing as she smiled back, sheepishly.
"You're wrong Kate," Anna said, absently.
Kate turned to look at her. "About what?"
"The shops being the best things in Heathrow."
"Then what are?"
"At the moment, the Russian men on our flight!"
"Honestly!" Sarah laughed.
"What do you like about stubble?" Kate asked, curiously.
"Everything," Anna replied simply.
"You don't mind podgy men or chest hair either."
"I have a wide range of physical attractions."
"No, you have poor taste in men."
"That's rich coming from a girl who likes clean shaven men with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. You know, you'd have made a perfect agent for Hitler when trying to cleanse his race! I like masculine men, not pretty boys."
"Each to their own," Sarah cut in.
Anna shrugged. "Quite right."
"Then what do you like mum?" Kate asked.
"A wide choice."
"Dad's fair haired and clean shaven," Anna shrugged. "Typically English."
"So why are you so dark?" Kate asked. "And more European?"
"I guess that is a little odd; mother and father are both fair, and so are all their family. You're the perfect bimbo and I'm as dark as the cosmos! However, I remember hearing in biology a while ago about recessive genes and everything. It's possible to have a dark child although the probability is low or something like that."
"Is that true?"
"You should know Kate," Sarah noted.
"Why? I'm only doing GCSEs."
"That is GCSEs!" Anna replied. "Double Science."
"I don't remember doing that."
"Well you wouldn't."
"But…"
"Leave it," Sarah cut in. "Anna's right, recessive genes."
She turned and faces away rather abruptly, Anna catching onto that but it flew over Kate's head completely. She seemed very keen not to discuss the topic of Anna's different appearance. Was her mother hiding something? Her father had divorced her mother so abruptly, but that was about 13 years now. Anna decided to ignore that thought for now as the approached the check in desk.
"SU-145 to Moscow?" the man at the conveyor asked.
Anna shivered; what a nice, deep voice.
"Yes," Sarah replied.
"Which airport?"
"Err…"
Anna decided to step in at that moment.
"Sheremetyevo 2," she said, in Russian.
"Ah, thank you!" the man laughed. "You speak Russian!"
"Yeah I do," Anna replied.
"Excellent! Put your luggage on here, please."
Anna lifted her suitcase up onto the conveyor belt, catching the enquiring stare off her mother.
"You spoke Russian," she stated.
"Apparently," Anna replied.
"It came that naturally?"
"It seemed to, yes."
"I don't remember you ever learning Russian."
"Oh yeah. Language CDs, you know…"
Anna trailed off and shrugged, continuing to load the rest of the cases at the Russian man's instructions. Although Maxim believed in her unique abilities, her mother and sister did not. Even though Kate continuously called her a freak, she didn't really believe that she could turn on the lights with her mind. Anna sighed as they took their tickets and left, catching the eye of that that Russian bloke again and blushing.
They walked on through the customs office with no trouble at all, except for Kate who needed to strip off all her jewellery before going through the barriers. Even though she looked nothing like a threat, it all set it off. Anna rolled her eyes skyward and smirked slightly as she watched her younger sister put all of her rings, bracelets and necklaces back on. Anna wore no jewellery at all, so was certainly not likely to set off any metal detection barriers. The main part of the airport was filled with different shops, Anna eventually laying her eyes on the Duty Free.
"I'm going to have a coffee," Sarah stated.
"Shall we go off for a bit then?" Anna asked.
"Please don't split up."
Anna glanced at Kate briefly.
"There's no way you're getting me in River Island!"
"Alright!"
Sarah glanced at her watch.
"Be back in one hour; I'll be in Costa."
So, Anna went off towards the Duty Free, Kate disappearing to find Heathrow's Harrods Store. Anna quickly found herself gazing at the duty free vodka, but she quickly reminded herself that it would be much cheaper to buy it in Russia. Although a large bottle of Smirnoff was appealing at the moment, a nice cheaper bottle of Stolichniskaya bought at a Moscow supermarket would be nicer.
She then moved away from the spirits section to regard the chocolate's section, looking at all the brilliant offers they had. Giant Toblerones, big boxes of Maltesers, and 3 for 2 on large bars of plain, bitter chocolate. All so tempting! As she selected a few items, she caught part of a phone call a man was making in Russian. She decided not to listen, but a certain sentence caught her attention.
"Anton," the man stated. "I think I've seen the girl."
Anna stopped short. Should she listen?
"Oh yes, she's English," he continued.
There was a pause as he listened to the reply.
"Hmm, yes. In her early twenties by the looks of things. Quite short; dark hair, dark eyes and well built for a woman. She seems to fit your description Anton; young, pretty and looks intelligent."
Anna bought her chocolate at the till, still listen to the conversation.
"Tell Semyon to look out for her," he carried on.
There was another short pause as Anna left the cash desk.
"Long black coat, Russian blue camouflage combats, a red jumper with the word 'Czech' written on it and heavy brown boots. Yeah, as you saw her on the plane; she's getting on the SU-145 with me."
Another small pause.
"Yeah, she's with her mother and sister," he replied. "Tell Semyon."
After that, he finished the telephone call and Anna turned in his direction as he walked away. To her surprise, she saw the Russian man she'd seen before at the check in desk; the guy wearing the sunglasses. He disappeared off into the airport, Anna not feeling any impulse to follow him. Clearly that man he was talking to was looking out for her, and he was going to get another guy to look out for her at Sheremetyevo 2 on landing. Where they police? The Russian FSB or something? But she hadn't got into trouble, had she?
Forgetting about it for now, Anna heading off towards WH Smiths to buy a few more extra things. As well as a few sweets, she bought some extra alkaline batteries and a big book of Sudoku puzzles. They'd get her through the flight, as well as the lovely views of continental Europe so long as it wasn't too cloudy. She imagined she'd need the batteries because using her own power to charge them might not be too healthy for the plane. Then a though came to her. Maxim said a few selected Russians were born with a gift; maybe these strange men like the guy on the phone were aware of her abilities. Now, along with the confusion and slight fear, she found curiosity and excitement. This could all turn out well.
She left the shop, returning again quickly to buy a cheese and spring onion sandwich that took her fancy. She wondered passed one of the expensive, modern clothe stores, spying Kate inside. Her sister had neglected to try things on, but instead was gazing longingly at the miniskirts and little handbags.
"Don't get any ideas," Anna cautioned.
Kate spun around, eyeing up her older sister's bags.
"Where have you been then?" she asked.
Anna grinned. "Duty Free and WH Smiths."
"Vodka then?"
"No, chocolate. Vodka's cheaper in Russia."
"Mum told me not to pack my skirts."
"And for a good reason."
"Maybe I should get one; I'm sure I'll be able to wear it."
"How about that nice long black one over there?"
Kate glanced over it. "You've got one like that."
"My one and only!" Anna laughed.
"It's far too long."
"It's ankle length Kate; as in, decent."
"I'm thinking more like this."
Kate indicated to the small, frilly green thing hanging up alongside packets of pink, fishnet tights.
Anna shrugged. "Fine if you want frozen legs and Russian van drivers throwing coke cans at you in disgust."
Anna disappeared, leaving her younger sister to gaze with soppy eyes at the expensive, modern fashion. Anna thought that it was impossible to price a miniskirt so expensively; it wasn't as if much fabric went into them anyway. She shook her head as she thought back to Kate; very sad. But she couldn't really talk, as she recalled gazing longingly at the latest dual core computer processors in PC World. But that was a different kind of sad; sad they were too expensive. Anna made her way back towards the small Costa coffee bar, finding her mother and sitting down next to her.
"Duty Free?" Sarah asked.
"Naturally," Anna replied.
"Did you see Kate at all?"
"Gushing over miniskirts again?"
"I hope she'll be sensible."
At that moment, an Italian waiter came over and the fight of him almost made Anna fall off her chair. He put down the bill for Sarah's coffee, but she called him back over again as he made to move away.
"Anything for you Anna?" she asked.
"Oh!" Anna replied. "Alright."
She shared a smile with the Italian waiter.
"A coke and a Danish please mate," she noted.
"Do you want that Danish hot?" the Italian asked.
"Yes please, though not as hot as you!"
The Italian laughed. "I shall see that it wont be."
He smiled at her and left, Anna stretching and leaning back in her chair. She turned to regard the Italian man as he bent over to pick up the discarded tray, flashing his nice backside in her direction. She smiled, catching the expression on her mother's face as she turned back round.
"What?" she asked.
"You're cheerful," Sarah laughed.
"My radar's working at full range today!"
"So I've noticed."
"Good practice for Russia."
"Kate's jealous of you, you know."
That was an odd thing to say.
"Really?" Anna queried.
"Oh yeah; you always attract the good looking blokes, even if she say's they're not. Kate struts around in miniskirts in hope that it'll attract the men, but all she can manage is pretty boys and drug addicts. Then there's you; European looking and dressing decently and you get the smiles off all the nice, decent young men."
"That is rather satisfying."
"On day Kate will act on that and follow your example."
"But Kate's had loads of boyfriends; I've never had one."
"That's because she assumes she'd being popular and fashionable because it looks good. But she's too young and doesn't have enough common sense. You're just coming up to the right age to have a long relationship, but you've made the sensible decision to keep waiting and put your career plans first. Don't worry, you'll find the perfect match soon."
"How will I know?"
"All the men you smile at; how do you feel about them?"
"Just that they're nice, but nothing more than that."
"Exactly. You'll know when it feels right."
Anna nodded.
"Like Maxim Berezkev is only a friend to me."
"Of course."
Kate then returned, thought with no bags; it appeared that she had not found anything suitable to buy that was to her liking. There was nothing wrong with that black skirt, but Kate only wore skirts that showed her legs. Anna suddenly grimaced; and her bum cheeks. She then smirked slightly; it was looking like Kate would never know when it felt right. The pretty boys and intellectually challenged only liked her because she showed her legs in public. Anna had always been liked for her personality, her intelligence and her lack of girlishness.
That thought remained just within reach at the back of her mind as the Italian guy came back. She returned his smile once again as he put down her coke and Danish pastry, leaving the bill behind. She turned to absently watch him leave before averting her concentration to listen to the announcement over the airport noise.
"Passengers for the 8:10 SU-145 Aeroflot service to Moscow Sheremetyevo 2. Your flight has now arrived and you are to wait while the aircraft is refuelled and your luggage is loaded. Please listen out for your gate call."
"Excellent!" Anna proclaimed.
"Did you check the weekly forecast?" Sarah asked.
"I did! It's not supposed to get above -8°C all week. The lowest day temperature I saw was about -16°C, but the night temperatures will be much colder. Forecast snow for the beginning of the week, but pressure is rising."
"That'll freeze all the snow up then."
Anna laughed. "No high heals then!"
"You're alright for that, aren't you?"
"I don't own a pair of high heals."
"Of course. Kate, what about you?"
Kate sighed. "I have a pair or two, I guess."
"Good."
Anna smiled as she drank her coke, her eyes falling on the Italian waiter again. As he moved away from view, she spotted the Russian man sitting on his own at a far table. Had he seen her? It didn't look like it. He was sat with a large, steaming mug of coffee reading a full spread English newspaper that looked like the Independent. Strange; could he read English? Or was it a disguise? As he folded away his newspaper to drink some of his coffee, Anna saw that he still hadn't taken off his sunglasses.
She finished off her pastry and put the money for it into the saucer with the receipt. Sarah was staring absently at the blue boards waiting for the gate call to come and Kate was fiddling with her fingernails. Anna flicked through her passport, looking at the stamp for the Russian visa that would allow her entry. After doing research into travelling there, you also needed a letter of invitation. Had Sarah done all that? She couldn't recall it, but they did go down to the Russian embassy.
"Off to Russia eh?" asked a deep, male voice.
Anna turned round and came face to face with the Italian waiter.
"Oh yes," she replied. "For a lovely cold winter."
"You'll not like parts of my country."
"Where about do you come from?"
"Turin, not that hot in comparison."
"You'd be the hottest thing there I imagine."
He laughed. "I don't know, you might like others."
"Have you been skiing then?"
"Oh yes, I rather enjoy it."
"You're built more like a bobsleigher though."
He laughed again. "Nice of you to say so."
"Have you worked here long?"
"Not really, only moved in to London a few months ago."
"You do a good job."
She winked at him, causing him to laugh again. Kate rolled her eyes skyward, turning away to look at a pretty looking blonde man wearing a USA jumper. Anna watched as the Italian waiter picked up the money and the two bills; she had him all to herself.
"Was your pastry hot enough?" he asked.
"Well done thank you," Anna replied. "Though not so as you."
"You think that's difficult, yes?"
"Very difficult, my friend."
He smirked. "Are you a lorry driver?"
"I'm thinking about doing that, why do you ask?"
"You remind me of my sister a little bit; she's a lorry driver and she loves working with all the men. She still lives in Turin though. Through the winter she stays at home and through the summer she works for a Scandinavian haulage company, mostly doing Scandinavia and North Russia. She's got your sense of humour and dress code, too."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Please do!"
The announcer interrupted them.
"Attention all passengers flying with the SU-145 Aeroflot service to Moscow Sheremetyevo 2. Your aircraft is now prepared and the luggage has been transported, could you please make your way to Departure Gate 26 to prepare to board. Boarding will commence in approximately 10 minutes."
"There's the call!" Sarah proclaimed. "Finally!"
"Nice talking to you mate," Anna told the Italian.
"A pleasure," he replied with his usual smile.
Moments later, they boarded the plane with no complications about Visas and passports, but at the other end in Moscow would possibly prove to be a challenge. Anna claimed the window seat with Kate on the end while their mother sat between them. That was probably a good thing; she couldn't stand her sister going on about how cold it would be in Moscow for the duration of the flight. Yeah, Sarah loved the sun, but she was ready to miss it for a change. It was time to see some proper snow for once in a while, so it would feel like a proper winter this year. But it wasn't as if Anna never wanted to go on holiday with her mother and sister, she just couldn't stand hot climates. She found that out when she was about 10; it was a really hot summer and she spent two of the months on a drip in hospital.
Anna stood up briefly to hand her back pack to Sarah so she could put it in the overhead locker. She'd got all her in flight survival stiff in a Duty Free carrier bag. As she went to sit down again, she spotted the Russian man in the sunglasses sitting near the window in front of her. She sat back down quickly; she was beginning to feel rather worried about that man. But it did not put her off the trip to Moscow; even without all of the things she'd heard and seen, Moscow was a place she really wanted to visit. But would she find out why she could do all of these strange things with her mind?
Anna paid little attention when the air hostess went through the safety procedures for the Ilyushin Il-96 aircraft. She'd been on a place before and could remember what was needed. However, she suddenly took more notice of the briefing when a young Russian lad indicated to all the tabs and strings on the life jackets and oxygen masks. She leaned back into her seat and smiled to herself, turning to look down below as the men moved away from the aircraft. Today was a very good day, and it could only get better.
Before long, the Aeroflot flight SU-145 had taxied out to the runway and prepared for lift off. Anna leaned back into her seat as they sped off down the runway and slowly took off into the air. She'd heard stories about people's seats not being riveted in properly on Aeroflot, and ending up slipping to the back of the plane during take off. However, this did not happen to anyone on this flight. Her first flight with Aeroflot was perfectly clean so far; no broken seats, no missing seatbelts and no dodgy trays.
"Still like flying then?" Sarah asked her.
"One of the best parts of holiday!" Anna replied, smiled.
"Well, we've got just over four hours."
"Perfect."
As they climbed up higher above the clouds, Anna took out her mp3 player and put her headphones into her ears. Putting her sunglasses over her eyes so she could take in the view outside without any glare from the sun, she relaxed ready to enjoy the long flight to Moscow. They'd soon be leaving behind Western Europe and mild winters for a whole glorious week.
