Heads You Win Read online

  As she sat in the back of the taxi, Elena thought about the countess, whom she hadn’t seen recently. Her unsocial hours at the restaurant meant that she had little time for a private life, so the invitation to tea was a pleasant break from her normal routine. And she was looking forward to seeing the new apartment.

  When the taxi drew up outside number 43 Lowndes Square, Elena gave the cabbie a handsome tip. She had never forgotten Mr. Agnelli telling her, you can hardly expect to be tipped yourself, if you’re not generous to those who give you service.

  She checked the four names printed neatly beside the doorbells, before pressing the button for the top floor.

  “Please come up,” said a voice that was obviously expecting her.

  A buzzer sounded, and Elena pushed open the door and made her way to the lift. When she stepped out on the fourth floor, she saw a maid standing by an open door.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Karpenko. Let me take you through to the countess.”

  Elena tried not to stare at the photographs of the tsar and tsarina on holiday with the countess’s family on the Black Sea, as she was taken through to a drawing room full of the most beautiful antique furniture. A marble bust of Tsar Nicholas II rested on the center of the mantelpiece.

  “How kind of you to take the time in your busy life to visit me,” said the countess, waving her guest to a large comfortable chair opposite her. “There’s so much we have to talk about. But first, some tea.”

  Elena was pleased to find the countess was now living in luxury, compared with the cramped basement flat in Pimlico.

  “And how is Sasha?” was the countess’s first question.

  “When he’s not working in the restaurant, he’s studying accountancy and business management at the LSE, which can only benefit our burgeoning business.”

  “Not burgeoning for much longer, I’m told. When I last saw Sasha, he mentioned rumors that—”

  “But only rumors, countess,” said Elena, “although Gino’s sure he spotted two of the judges having lunch at the restaurant quite recently. But we’ve heard nothing definite.”

  “I’ll keep my fingers crossed,” said the countess as the maid returned bearing a large silver tray laden with tea, biscuits, and a chocolate cake, which she placed in the center of the table.

  “Milk, no sugar, if I remember correctly,” said the countess as she began to pour.

  “Thank you.”

  “Sasha also tells me he’s considering standing for the local council. I hear a vacancy has arisen recently.”

  “Yes, he’s been shortlisted for the seat, but he’s not confident they’ll select him.”

  “Be assured, Elena, Fulham Council will be nothing more than a stepping stone on his inevitable path to the House of Commons.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Oh yes. Sasha has all the qualities and failings necessary to make an excellent Member of Parliament. He’s bright, resourceful, cunning, and not averse to taking the occasional risk if he believes the cause is worth it.”

  “But don’t forget he’s an immigrant,” said Elena.

  “Which may even be an advantage in the modern Labour Party.”

  “Don’t let him know,” said Elena, “but I’ve always voted Conservative.”

  “Me too,” admitted the countess. “But in my case I don’t think it would come as much of a surprise. Enough of Sasha, how is Charlie getting on at the Courtauld?”

  “She’s almost completed her thesis on ‘Krøyer: The Unknown Master.’ So it won’t be too long until she’s Dr. Karpenko.”

  “And are there any signs of—”

  “Unfortunately not. It appears that the modern generation think it’s important to establish a career before you have children. In my day…”

  “I do believe, Elena, you are more old-fashioned than I am.”

  “Sasha certainly thinks so.”

  “My dear, I can assure you, he admires you above all women,” said the countess, offering her guest a slice of Black Forest gateau. She paused and took a sip of tea, before saying, “Now, I must confess, Elena, that I had an ulterior motive for asking to see you.”

  Elena put down her fork and listened carefully.

  “The truth is, I have a secret I want to share with you.” She paused for effect. “Thanks to Mr. Dangerfield’s diligence and expertise, and your son’s ingenuity, I received far more for my egg than I had originally thought possible.”

  “I had no idea Sasha was involved,” said Elena.

  “Oh yes, he played a crucial role, for which I will be eternally grateful. Not only did the sale allow me to purchase a short lease on this charming flat, but also to buy several fine pieces of furniture from a certain antique dealer from Guildford.” Elena smiled. “However, I still have the problem of how to invest the rest of the money, because there is a considerable amount left over. My father used to say, always invest in people you can trust, and you won’t go far wrong. So I’ve decided to invest in you.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” said Elena.

  “For the past month, I’ve been negotiating the purchase of a freehold property in the Fulham Road.”

  Elena’s hand was shaking so much she spilled her tea. “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  “It’s of no importance,” said the countess, “compared to finding out if you would feel comfortable with the idea of running two restaurants at the same time.”

  “I’d have to talk to Sasha before I can make a decision.”

  “No, I’m afraid you can’t,” said the countess firmly. “In fact, you must never mention our conversation to Sasha, for reasons I will explain. The seller I’ve had to deal with is a Mr. Maurice Tremlett, so you can’t say anything to Sasha as I got the strong impression that he and your son are not on good terms. He is clearly envious of the success you’ve made of Elena’s.”

  “It goes back a lot further than that,” said Elena, “to the days when they were at school together, and Sasha was the First Eleven goalkeeper.”

  “No doubt Tremlett was relegated to the Second Eleven, which doesn’t surprise me, as that’s exactly what I intend to do with him, once the contract has been signed. During our negotiations Tremlett asked me twice, if not three times, if I was a front for Mr. Karpenko, and I was able to truthfully say no. So please don’t say anything to Sasha until I’ve put down the deposit. If Tremlett were to find out what I was up to, I’ve no doubt the deal would be off. Now, I have to ask again, Elena, do you think you can run two establishments at the same time?”

  “I’ve run that restaurant once already, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get it back up to scratch, especially as I’m already employing the only good kitchen staff and waiters they ever had.”

  “And you’re confident you could do that while running Elena’s at the same time?”

  “It will just be a hundred and thirty covers instead of seventy. Of course I may have to build a bridge or dig a tunnel under the Fulham Road between Elena One and Elena Two.”

  “Then that’s settled,” said the countess.

  “Can I ask what you’ll expect in return for your investment?”

  “I would become a fifty-fifty partner in the new restaurant, and be allowed to dine at either establishment whenever I wish, at no charge. There are several Russian émigrés in London who appreciate fine cooking, Elena, but no longer experience it as regularly as they used to. However, you have my word that I will only bring them along one at a time.”

  “In that case you must have your own table at both restaurants,” said Elena, “which no one else will be allowed to book. So when can I tell Sasha?”

  “Not until the contract has been signed and the ink is dry, because I must tell you, Elena, if Mr. Maurice Tremlett had been born in the Soviet Union, he would undoubtedly be working for the KGB.”

  Elena shuddered, but couldn’t disagree. “Thank you for tea,” she said, “and, more important, thank you for your confidence in me. Now I must get back to the