“We can buy some decent vodka here,” said Alik, nodding in the direction of a little shop that had a sign written in English — “SHOP” — with the letters made out of little golden tubes.
“Anyway what?” Marat asked Eldar.
“We’ll have to explain everything to him!”
“I’ll get the vodka while you carry on talking…” said Alik, heading across to the shop.
“We’ve got to tell him that she should leave, at least for a while
“Ah, so that’s what you’re on about…” said Marat, looking at me. “And who’s going to tell him that?”
“Everybody!” Eldar said firmly.
“A quartet?”
“Quartet, duet, solo, trio! Any way you like. Surely you realise there are so many refugees in the city now that anything could happen?” He had already forgotten that the idea of the defensive vigils at Rafik’s home had been his
