And then Gorbachev came to power, and announced his program of reforms, a program that showed the West that there was a different man in the Kremlin. There was perestroika, his catchall term for this program, as well as meaning the intended restructuring of the economy. And then there was democratizatsia, novomyshlenie—new thinking toward the West; glasnost—openness.

It was the last two that had Amy pricking her ears as she listened to the radio news in the bath. Surely this was her opportunity? They would have to help her now; it was their new policy to open up and be more friendly to the West. Well, they could start with her. She could be their test case. She could see it now—BRITISH WOMAN UNLOCKS MOSCOW VAULTS. Well, why the hell not? Someone had to be the first, and she was as deserving as anyone.

Predictably, Hugh scoffed at the idea when he came in to brush his teeth—a lot of “leopards don’t change their spots” and “it’s all a façade.”

“You only trust Gorbachev because you want to trust him,” he said.

“That’s possible, but it’s not going to do any harm.”

“The only harm it’s doing is getting your hopes up before he dashes them back down to the ground again.”

“We’ll see.”

“Yes, we will. And your friend Gorby will have me to deal with when I have a ratty wife for the next couple of weeks.”

Amy smiled.

“I expect he’s got other things on his mind.”

“I’m sure he’d find some time for you.”

Hugh pretended to pick up a phone.

“Ronnie,” he said in a Russian accent, “look, I really cannot talk right now, because there is this most important woman from England on the phone.”

Amy flicked some bathwater at him.

“Hey!” Hugh exclaimed.

He filled up his tooth mug from the cold tap, rinsed his mouth, spat the water into the sink, and then emptied the rest of the tooth mug onto Amy in the bath.

“Not fair!” she screamed.

“I’m just pouring cold water on your idea,” said Hugh with a wicked grin.

“Not a chance,” said Amy.

Chapter Nine

For a minute, Leni remained speechless.

“Do you mean to say…” she began, and then trailed off.

“What?” said Lockhart.

“Do you mean to say…that this is all about saving your wife?”

Lockhart shook his head.

“It is, isn’t it?”

Lockhart continued to shake.

“I don’t believe it!”

“Please, Leni!”

But she couldn’t be stopped.

“You selfish bastard! You’re going to risk all our lives just so you can see her again, aren’t you? Go on—admit it!”

“That’s not true!”

“Of course it is! How could it not be?”

Lockhart briefly shut his eyes and breathed out heavily through his nose.

“Please, Leni,” he said quietly. “Please will you let me explain?”

But Leni would not be mollified.