Part 20 (2/2)

Jerome shook his head nonchalantly. His part was over now. A pleasant life he must have, playing around all day with his oil paints, waiting for the money to appear in his bank account. His own bank account.

'Rudi, my darling,' I began...

'What do you want?'

'I was wondering, when, exactly, we were thinking of...'

'...of what?'

'You know, what we've been discussing...'

Rudi's emotions are so visible. He doesn't try to hide anything from me. That's one reason I love him. He slammed his plate down and the pizza skidded off.

'Oh Jesus wept! Not again! Don't get old on me again, Margarita! I will not have you getting old and weird and wrinkled on me again! f.u.c.k, you make me feel like it's my grandmother I'm s.h.a.gging sometimes!'

I love Rudi, but I hate him too when his eyes s.h.i.+ne like that. It's the bad cocaine. 'What are we getting all this money for if we're never going to use it?'

'Is it a car you want? Is it a coat you want? Are you in debt to somebody again? Tell me who's been lending you money! Who? WHO WHO!'

'No, n.o.body, n.o.body! It's-' I looked at Jerome, who, sighing, withdrew into his studio, taking his coffee.

'-it's you I want, my love. It's our life in Switzerland that I want.'

'A golden goose is living on our roof and s.h.i.+tting eggs down our chimney, here, Margarita! Don't kill it! Gather the golden eggs!'

'I'm the one who gets screwed every week for these golden eggs.'

'We all have to make sacrifices.'

'I don't know how much longer I'm prepared to keep making mine. Surely we have enough money in the account now for us to not need to-'

'We haven't. I had to bribe the customs people a small fortune last time. Then of course I have to give Gregorski his whopping cut. He set the whole thing up, remember.'

'I never get the chance to forget Gregorski, in his armoured Mercedes-Benz. Please, darling. Just tell me. How much money do we have?'

'It's your period, isn't it. Admit it. It's your period. Jesus. They bleed for seven days but they still don't die.'

'How much?'

'Quite a lot. But not enough.'

'How much is quite a lot? Just tell me!'

'Margarita, if you can't calm down and discuss this like an intelligent adult I'm going to have to terminate this interview.'

'I am calm. I'm asking a simple question. Rudi? How much money do we have from the sale of our five priceless works of art sold so far? Please?'

'In US dollars? Six figures.'

'Tell me!'

Rudi switched tack. 'I manage the finances! It's your job to get us in and keep us covered! You think you can do what I do better, do you? DO YOU DO YOU?'

It's the cocaine, and the pressure. I stayed calm, and started the pout. Margarita Latunsky plays men like a master violinist. When I want something from a woman I get angry. When I want something from a man I pout. 'No, darling, it's just that the Head Curator paws me week after week and I can't see an end to it and I love you so much-' I feigned the watery eyes.

Rudi snarled and looked around like he needed something to sink his teeth into. 'You want out? You want to go up to a man like Gregorski and say, ”Oh, by the way, I don't fancy this line of work any more, thanks for all the stolen artwork revenue but I'm off now, I'll send you a postcard”? Get real, woman! He'd eat you for f.u.c.king breakfast.'

I thought he was going to hit me. 'I thought that's why we chose Switzerland, because it would be safe-'

'It's not that simple. Gregorski's a powerful man.'

'I know about powerful men-'

Rudi mimicked me. '”I know about powerful men.” You're talking about the Party crony paperpusher who used to s.h.a.g you? Or your geriatric cabin-boy with the gammy leg?'

'He was a captain.'

Rudi spat a 'huh!' 'What do you know about hiding money? Laundering it? I can give you your share any time you like, baby, baby, but how long do you think it would be after you split, before the pigs in Switzerland ask exactly how you came across this truckload of roubles you're bringing into their country? We are a team! You can't just walk out on us any time you fancy.' but how long do you think it would be after you split, before the pigs in Switzerland ask exactly how you came across this truckload of roubles you're bringing into their country? We are a team! You can't just walk out on us any time you fancy.'

'When can we go?'

'In time! In time! f.u.c.k it! It's no f.u.c.king use trying to reason with you when you're in this kind of mood. I'm going for a drive!'

He slammed the door behind him.

Jerome emerged. 'He didn't damage the Wedgwood, did he?'

'He's nervous,' I explain. 'Now we're so close to getting away, it's only natural he gets a little jittery...'

Jerome said something in English.

Today is my birthday.

My feet shouldn't ache so much, not at my age.

As I climbed the stairs back up to my flat I heard my phone ringing. I fumbled for my key and skidded down the hallway. You see? I understand him, that's why I forgive him. That's why I'm not like the other women who take advantage of him.

'I'm back.' I was breathless- 'h.e.l.lo? Miss Latunsky? I hope you don't mind me telephoning you at home. This is Tatyana Makuch, from the gallery. Have I called at a bad time?'

I fought to control my panting, and to keep the disappointment out of my voice. 'No, no, I just got back, I've been running.'

'Oh... jogging in the park?'

<script>