—— An Unexpected Meeting ——103front? And not just our front. Let others learn from you. Whatever
you can manage. In your own words and focussing on the most
important. Don’t worry about the rest – our political personnel
will assist you.’
‘I’ll try, Andrey Alexandrovich, although, apart from essays at
school and articles for wall newspapers, I haven’t had occasion to
w r ite.’
Comrade Zhdanov looked at his watch and said: ‘Well, we’ve
had a good talk.’
He pressed a button and in came a girl wearing a neat lace
cap, like a waitress in a cafeteria. She gave Comrade Zhdanov an
inquiring look.
‘Nina, some hot tea for us, please!’
I felt embarrassed: ‘Don’t bother, Andrey Alexandrovich. I had
a solid meal at the hospital just a little while ago.’
‘No, no... Today you’re my guest. And don’t make up stories.
I know how “solidly” you would have eaten!’
Without a word, Nina went out and came back with a tray.
On it stood two glasses of weak, but hot, tea. There were two tiny
jam dishes, each of which contained a couple of pieces of sawnoff
lump sugar, and, on small plates, two slices of black, ‘blockade’
bread. These slices were so thin that, when I picked up one of them,
it disintegrated in my hands and would have fallen back, had I not
grabbed it in time.
I drank the hot tea with pleasure and thanked Comrade
Zhdanov for his hospitality.
‘No, thank you for your fine service to the homeland and for
your exhaustive account,’ said Andrey Alexandrovich. ‘On 22
February we will be holding a rally of frontline snipers. I hope you
will take part, Comrade Nikolaev. But in the meantime get better,
get yourself completely well again. And don’t forget about my
proposal to share your experience,’ he said, getting up. ‘We need
it so much, right up to here!’ And he expressively drew the edge
of his palm across his throat. ‘So, I wish you success! Come when
the manuscript’s ready, call on me directly. Ask for whatever help