From Russia to Family

Chapter 14 Beginning of The End

Uppingham, England

1945, February

Masha looked out the window, badly sketching a flower she could see in the garden. It was quite peaceful actually, to be home alone. Had been, anyway.

"Masha! Come look!"

Lyudmilla burst through the front door with Florence in tow. She dropped the paper on the table. Masha walked over and leaned in on the front cover. Written right across the top were words that made Masha's stomach turn inside out and her hands grow numb.

Battle of Berlin Begins; Nazi Reich Falling

Below that was a picture of British troops in what she assumed was Berlin. What of Leon? She wondered. Was he dead? Was he hurt? Did he even remember her?

"W...wow."

"I know! We've almost got them!"

"Y...yes, yes we do."

Lyudmilla looked at her curiously.

"You don't seem very excited."

"I don't like war is all."

"Ah, well then this is good news. No more war soon."

Masha nodded. Florence spoke up after swallowing her bite of a cookie she'd only just grabbed.

"Say, why don't we go into the city today?"

Masha looked up at her.

"Like, to London?"

"Mhm."

Masha looked up at Lyudmilla, who nodded approval, then back at Florence.

"Alright then!"

Since the girls had left, not much had changed. As the blitz and German bombings had ended, rebuilding had commenced. London was bustling on every street with business men, soldiers, pilots and navy men. There were even American G.I's about. There were boys on street corners shouting about the day's paper. Bright red buses and deathly black taxis sat stuck in traffic. Masha loved it, as it was such a change from the much more relaxed country town she was used to. Florence had an idea.

The three girls ended up outside their old orphanage building. It was now, slightly damaged by air raids. Masha walked forwards and pushed open the heavy oak door, stepping onto the black and white marble floor.

"My god. Masha!?"

She turned to her right and smiled.

"Sister Elizabeth, how good to see you!"

The woman was taken aback.

"My my, your English has gotten very good!"

"Yes, that's thanks to Florence and Lyudmilla."

Sister Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

"You still know them?"

That was when the other two entered, and having heard them talking, promptly interrupted.

'Oh yes, we have a place in Uppingham together."

"Well Florence, you look lovely, as do you two of course."

Masha smiled. She'd never been insecure, but it always helped when someone complimented her. Today she wore her hair straight down at either side, with the bottom curled outwards slightly, with a white ribbon on the top left of her hair. She'd also worn a knee high dress that was a deep blue, with a white speckled pattern, it was quite firm fitting. Lyudmilla tore her out of her trance.....