He seldom pampered children with sweets, much less in places such as the theater, where the whole family went for food for the mind and spirit. But Lisa did not ask anything, especially since they had already given a second call, and should have quickly taken places.
The next morning Andry was surprised to hear his mother's laughter for the first time in a long time. He woke up from it. The windows remained tied up, but the sun's rays persisted through the thin cracks.
What a beautiful day!
Andri got out of bed quickly, feeling perfectly happy. If Mom laughed, then everything was fine. So they can finally leave, maybe right now. Or... or even the other way around! Maybe everything has calmed down in the city, Alexander's brother has already put things in order, and the army again belongs to the imperial house, not to the crazy provocateur Arthur Volginn, who was no longer hiding behind other people's backs...
The living room was light from a bright crystal chandelier, which burned all the bulbs. Mom carefully combed Lisa's hair and sang something smiling. Vlad sat next to her and tried out the contents of one of her many boxes.
- Good morning," said Andri. And then I asked him a question that worried him the most: "Mom, are we leaving?
- Yes, son," Mom smiled warmly at him. - Your father managed to get train tickets yesterday. Special tickets. We will be able to leave in peace tomorrow night.
- Tomorrow! - Andrew exclaimed. - Oh, it's just two more days at home... Mom! Please, let me go to the garden! I can't sit here anymore, really! Well, even for an hour? Please! - He looked into his favorite eyes with pleading.
But my mother immediately seemed to be petrified.
- Oh, no, honey! - Her face was again affected by the fear that had been chasing the whole family in recent days. - No, don't ask me to do that! It's too dangerous!
Andri is sleeping. He didn't argue when he saw his mother hurt by the mere thought of him walking.
- Well, good," he said quietly. - Okay... - and, barely hiding his tears, returned to his room.
This confinement was becoming unbearable.
However, fate had mercy on him. Less than an hour later, his father came into the room to see Andrew in the dark.
- Your mother is against it, but it's a matter of urgency. Can you take the letter to Goebbs-san's office? Remember that nice place with the bronze dogs on the porch?
- Of course, I remember! - Andrew jumped off the floor where he was lazily driving a pencil on paper. - I remember it very well!
Joy covered him with a thick wave, making his heartbeat rapidly in the chest.
Outdoors!
Finally, to the street! Get away from electric light, gray walls and waiting!
My father smiled at me when he saw how excited his heir was. He shredded Andry's hair and pulled a small, thick envelope out of his jacket pocket.
- Here you go. Hide it well and go straight to the office. Don't stay anywhere, don't go in there and don't talk to anyone. If someone tries to get attached to you, go to the nearest shop or shop.
- Okay! - Andrew was already dancing with impatience. - Okay, Dad! I'll be very careful and go fast and fast!
- No, buddy, don't be fast. Go as usual. As if you were let go for a walk. And after Goebbs's office, go to the confectionery shop next door and buy some sweets by lunchtime," Father put a small silver coin in Andri's palm.
Going down the stairs, Andrew jumped over two steps. As his father taught him, he went out the back door, not the front door. Andrew's clothes were also the simplest - to attract less attention. He didn't even remember the last time he wore this humble gray shirt, which he wrapped around a narrow strap. The professor's son resembled an ordinary city boy from a family of shopkeepers or a worker with a good income.
The janitor looked at Andri frowned on, but the gate, locked on a heavy padlock, opened without a word.
Andrew passed a small green square behind their house and went out to Lantern Street. He checked once again whether the envelope was lying well behind the sinus, quickly looked around and, without noticing anything suspicious, walked towards his beloved Bank Bridge. It was just a couple of small blocks away and Mr. Gebbs' office was located. Andrew remembered her very well because, near those big bronze dogs, he was walking with his father, once filmed on a photographic device. It was an accident, and Andri did not even see the card, but still, he was very pleased then. A foreign photographer repeated several times that "the gut boy is very gutted and is suitable for a children's magazine in Tsyurkh.
Continuation in the next part 31.