A Long Night of Chaos: The Ruslan Shanidza Novels, #2 by Paul Clark

Author:Paul Clark
Format: epub

Chapter Seventeen

BY THE beginning of July, Ruslan was well enough to travel. He was taken south to Central Kubania, where crowds lined the streets to applaud his ambulance as it passed through towns and cities. He was still lying on his front and never got to see his supporters, but their presence and Tamara’s slightly exaggerated descriptions of their numbers gave a massive boost to his morale. In Khosume, they were reunited with little Shota, who Ruslan by now remembered much better than Shota remembered him.

After a day’s rest, Ruslan was deemed fit enough to receive visitors. Tamara acted as gatekeeper, making sure they didn’t stay too long and exhaust Ruslan. The first to come was Mikhel.

Ruslan greeted him with, ‘I’ve got a scar on my bloody throat, thanks to you.’

Mikhel laughed. ‘God, some people. They’re just so ungrateful.’

He knelt down by Ruslan’s bed and the two men embraced as best they could.

Mikhel told Ruslan and Tamara that he was scraping a living growing vegetables, driving a taxi and doing odd jobs. The Ksordian government couldn’t afford to train athletes any more. The army had offered him work as a trainer but had then withdrawn the offer, presumably under orders from on high.

Ruslan asked if he was in touch with Leila and Lionidza.

‘Not really. They live in a different world from me. And in any case, I’m keeping out of Leila’s way.’

‘Yes, you naughty boy.’

The two of them laughed.

Tamara was sorry to have to split them up after just a few minutes, but the journey had tired Ruslan out, and Tamara was conscious of his need for rest before the flight to Moscow. But she was delighted to see him so happy and relaxed with Mikhel, even though she knew that much of it was bravado.

As she and Mikhel walked towards the hospital exit, Tamara suggested he ask Lionidza to help him find a job.

Mikhel stopped walking. ‘Is it true that Lionidza betrayed Ruslan?’

‘I don’t know. Yakub Bovin told Ruslan he was still working for Comrade Zikladza.’

‘I really liked him, you know that? He seemed really genuine. And then you hear these rumours and you think...well, you just don’t know what to think.’

That afternoon, it was Leila’s turn. She embraced Tamara like an old friend. ‘I’m really nervous.’

‘Why?’

‘I’m scared I’ll burst into tears when I see him.’

‘He’s in a better state than he was when you left Kvemodishi.’

She led Leila into the ward, where she knelt down by Ruslan’s bed, kissed his forehead and held his hand. Tamara wasn’t sure she liked such physical intimacy between her husband and another woman.

Ruslan and Leila caught up with news, and then Leila asked about Mikhel. ‘Did he say anything about me?’

‘No, except that he isn’t in touch with you.’

‘Is he okay? I mean, his wife hasn’t found out or anything?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Thank God for that. There’s one person I am in touch with.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Sergo.’

Ruslan made as if to speak but said nothing.

‘He wants to come and see you.’

‘What for? To explain?’

‘No, he wants to beg you for forgiveness.

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