Anna Muller turned around slowly, her shining dark eyes taking in the pretty blonde girl behind her like a crow surveying its prey. But instead of asking what it was that Eileen wanted, the genteel Russian merely tapped the leather seat beside her and slid towards the window, gesturing with a slight incline of the head for Eileen to join her. Anna was curious, this pretty child from the village was courteous and meek.
At first the two sat in companionable silence, neither looking at the other but both feeling inquisitive and shy. The town gave way to countryside and the bus made several stops to allow passengers to either jump on or depart. It was the older woman who finally broke the silence.
'Did you have a good day at school?' she asked, the words tripping faultlessly off her tongue.
