The next day at lunch Michiko announced that there was to be a feast that evening. Ruslan would entertain a small group of important guests. All the girls would be required to attend; preparations would begin as soon as lunch was cleared away. The girls digested the news in silence, each considering the potential of a possibly welcome diversion from their usual mundane routine. When Michiko took her leave, they erupted into a hum of excited chatter as soon as they heard the sound of her heels clicking on the marble floor fade away down the corridor. What would be required of them? Who were the guests? Was it a special occasion? The domestic staff came in to clear the table, and the girls dispersed into little groups to talk animatedly amongst themselves until Sandhu strode in, clapped his
