Leo gave a small nod of his head.

—I will ask her. She is often very busy. But I will ask her.

—Please, bring her.

—I will try.

They’d walked for inutes, down side streets, off the main road. An official tugged Leo’s arm, smiling broadly to conceal his agitation.

—Are we walking anywhere in particular?

Before Leo could reply, Austin saw the queue. He raised his hand, pointing to a line of customers snaking outside a small grocery store. Grigori ran ahead, assessing the store. There were at least thirty men and women. Many of them were elderly, their ragged coats dusted with snow. Grigori looked at Leo with alarm. The crowd turned and stared at the unlikely visitors, an MGB agent and a well-dressed American celebrity – perhaps the most famous American singer in the USSR, one of the few that the media was allowed to promote.

Leo turned to Austin.

—Wait here. Let me see what the problem is.

Leo hurried to Grigori’s side to hear him whisper:

—They haven’t opened yet!

Leo banged on the store window. The manager scuttled out of the back room, unlocking the door. Before Leo could utter a warning, Austin was by his side.

—They open a little later here?

Despite the cold, Leo’s shirt had become damp with perspiration.

—It would seem so.

As the door opened, Austin addressed the store manager:

—Good morning. How you doing today? My name is Jesse Austin. Don’t mind us, we’re just here to look around. Please go about your business as usual and I promise we won’t get in the way!

The manager turned to Leo, eyes wide and mouth open.

—Should I close the store for you?

Austin replied, taking control of the situation:

—Those people are waiting in the snow! Let everyone in. Don’t do anything different!

Cautiously, the shoppers trundled in, perplexed at the circumstances, forming a second line at the counter. Leo explained:

—In the other store you saw customers browsing. Here things are more disciplined. The customers tell the staff what they want. They pay and then collect the items.

Austin clapped his hands, pleased.

—I get it. It’s all about necessity! They shop for what they need, nothing more.

Leo mumbled his agreement.

—Exactly.