She takes out the phial as he walks away. Has two bumps. Dabs a little on her tongue and it tastes like petrol. That’s how they get cocaine into the docks, in barrels. She puts the phial away. Emboldened she turns to check herself out from every angle. Sips just one last cocktail before she hits the road. It has been exactly eleven months now and she can still feel what it’s like when he steps behind her. His breath on her skin. Can still picture his eyes in every detail. It is so utterly annoying. The cellar hatch slams shut and she jumps.

– So what happened to Baśka Murmańska in the end?

– Villagers killed her.

– Why? If she was no threat to humans, Flora, they should have just let her be?

– They found her swimming in a river and they didn’t know. Her soldier got her when she was just a cub, he was trying to woo this woman who was into this Italian officer who had a white fox. This soldier wanted to top that and impress the woman so he goes to Arkhangelsk Market…

– She still prefers the guy with the white fox?

– Aye!

The barman shakes his head.

– Brutal.

– I know. The regiment keep Baśka Murmańska, they train her up, she gets a food allowance, sleeps at the bottom of her soldier’s bed until she was older. Do you know a polar bear’s skin is black underneath?

– No?

– Aye. When they absorb sunlight it goes through all the shafts and follicles of the fur which make them look whiter than they are but their hair is just like – light tubes!

Flora has hit a slight slur.

Sit up taller.

A sway to her hips – even whilst seated.

– I should probably eat an olive.

– I wouldn’t, they’re rank, he says.

– I know, they are mingin’ ay? Rich people have no fucking taste.

The barman laughs and lights a tiny cigar she’s taken out of her purse. She takes a drag and points it at him. The barman is wearing a white shirt, waistcoat, red tie, flat cap. Flora is aware if she doesn’t leave on the next drink then her night is going to unravel.

– You see the Murmańczycy, to go back to it they get their polar bear because of infatuation, but they raise her on love!

Flora hiccups.

– It can go far that stuff, ay?

He holds her gaze for longer this time.

– Corporal Smorgonski tamed Baśka! Highly unusual man! They arrived on the Toloa ship. 27th September 1919. It was the last day I ever dressed as a boy.

Flora crushes the cigar out.

Exhales.

She stops lowering her eyelashes and looks back at him again.

– You are far too pretty to be a boy.

– Don’t be nice to me.

– Why?

– I don’t like it.