From Russia to Family

Chapter 10 The Paper Girl

Uppingham, England

1944, October

The sun shone brightly on everything in sight. People strolled down the street and alleys holding briefcases and backpacks. Windows were wide open with the smells of coffee and pastries wafting from within. Masha sped along the lane on her bike. She had found it in a garbage dump and taken it for herself. Bright yellow with white fenders and white picket basket on the front. The basket was full of that day's papers. Each house she passed she'd take a bundle and throw it towards the door.

"Get today's paper! Fresh from the post!"

She rang her bell as she passed a family.

"Good morning Masha!"

She turned to the boy with the family as the bike carried her away.

"Good morning Rupert!"

Eventually, as she found the main street, she began slowing down. Masha stopped outside a bakery, leaning the bike against the building's front. She walked inside and pondered at the display window.

"Good morning ma'am, what can I get you today?"

She glanced up at the man for a split second, returning to the baked goods.

"Uhmmm, can I please get three of the...hot cross buns please."

"Certainly."

Masha peeked outside to check on her bike, quickly coming back inside.

"Six pence for those."

As he placed the buns in a bag on the counter, she searched through her purse.

"Siiiiix...pence!"

She sounded 'pence' as she placed the change in his hand and took the bag.

"Thank you sir!"

"Anytime lass."

Masha mounted the bike, placing her order in the bike's basket. She rode off down the street.

Masha, Florence and Lyudmila had managed to find an affordable place to live by themselves. It was slightly smaller than the average home, with light blue panelling for outer walls outlined in white. Lyudmilla had managed to become a gardener for the local elderly home, so the garden was perfectly pruned and kept. Masha slipped a paper into their letter box and walked her bike down to the side of the house, then made her way up the stairs and through the front door. Inside Florennce was holding a coffee and leaning on the edge of the archway connecting the living room and kitchen. Masha walked into the kitchen and placed the buns on the table along with her purse.

"What are we looking at?" She turned around and walked up beside Florence. Lyudmilla sat on the couch watching the T.V.

"Some news reels."

"Where from?"

Masha's question was answered for her as the screen cut to American troops guarding a massive column of German POW's.

"Oh." She whispered

The reel went on to show tanks, bombers and infantry. It seemed in some scenes they were even in actual combat with the Germans.

"Can we turn it off?"

Elizabeth turned her head to her.

"Why?"

"I just, don't like these films."

Lyudmilla swivelled around on the couch.

"Yeah, what's wrong about them?"