cupola of a nearby church glittering in the bright sunlight. This beautiful city with its gilt spires, blue and green domes and white houses had proved to be beyond my expectations. I was beginning to grow quite fond of Russia.
‘We ex-pats must stick together. Speaking of which, we’ve just time to pay a quick visit to the British and American Chapel.’
It was a typically plain Congregational-type building, very spacious with simple wooden pews where I could imagine ladies sitting very properly for Sunday service in their best hats. And as Ruth had explained, it was not simply a place of worship, but very much a social club.
‘It provides evening classes, a library, picnics, a chess club, a choir and many other cultural activities. I’m usually here every Sunday morning and on Wednesday afternoons, as today, when we governesses get together to enjoy tea and a gossip.’
And there they all were, a dozen or so young women gathered in the vestibule area, all welcoming me with smiles, and lots of hugs and kisses. As they quickly took my coat and settled me into a chair with a cup of tea and a bun, I instantly felt as if I was among friends.
‘No picnics at this time of year, sadly, but there are one or two concerts lined up. Even the odd bridge night. And the Christmas party, of course. Plenty of fun to look forward to,’ a blonde-haired young woman who introduced herself as Ivy, assured me.
‘Are you musical? If so then don’t bother to join the choir as it seems to be a requirement that members should not be able to sing,’ another warned.
Everyone laughed, seeming to think this highly amusing.
‘I doubt I shall have much time to join anything. The Countess and the children keep me pretty busy.’
‘Oh, do make sure you get it written down what time off you are to be allowed.’
‘And when you are to be paid,’ another girl added. ‘Employers in financial difficulties can put off paying your wages, which isn’t right at all.’
‘The Belinskys are definitely not in any financial difficulties,’ I hastened to assure them. ‘I’m sure everything will be fine, once I’ve settled into a routine. But first I have to organise the refurbishment of the schoolroom.’ I went on to explain how the Countess wanted it to be in English style, so more advice followed on how best to achieve this in Russia. The most useful information came from Ruth.
‘I can certainly recommend a good carpenter to build the toy cupboard and everything you need. Stefan attends here regularly as his own mother came over last century to work as a governess herself for a Russian factory owner. She eventually married one of the employees. He’s bilingual and feels very much a part of the English community. He might well be around this afternoon. We’ll go and look for him after we’ve had tea.’
I set down my cup and saucer. ‘Perhaps we should look now as I really should be getting back.’
We found the young man in question and Ruth quickly explained my need for a good carpenter. He was tall and lean with well-muscled shoulders, red-brown hair and only the finest bristle of a moustache on his upper lip, rather than the heavy beard that was considered fashionable. I thought him rather good-looking.
‘So you work for Count Belinsky? Interesting. He is said to have considerable influence with the Tsar.’
‘That’s not what I’ve heard.’ I remembered the conversation over afternoon tea when the Count had spoken of the bullying uncles.
‘Oh, so he tells you his secrets, does he?’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘Ah, so you were listening in to a conversation? That’s interesting too.’
My cheeks grew warm, and, noticing my embarrassment, he laughed out loud. But I could hardly deny it to be true.
‘Stop teasing her, Stefan.’ Ruth chided him. ‘We all hear things we shouldn’t. It’s part of life in service, as you well know. And Count Belinsky is a very important minister.’
‘He’s certainly
‘We ex-pats must stick together. Speaking of which, we’ve just time to pay a quick visit to the British and American Chapel.’
It was a typically plain Congregational-type building, very spacious with simple wooden pews where I could imagine ladies sitting very properly for Sunday service in their best hats. And as Ruth had explained, it was not simply a place of worship, but very much a social club.
‘It provides evening classes, a library, picnics, a chess club, a choir and many other cultural activities. I’m usually here every Sunday morning and on Wednesday afternoons, as today, when we governesses get together to enjoy tea and a gossip.’
And there they all were, a dozen or so young women gathered in the vestibule area, all welcoming me with smiles, and lots of hugs and kisses. As they quickly took my coat and settled me into a chair with a cup of tea and a bun, I instantly felt as if I was among friends.
‘No picnics at this time of year, sadly, but there are one or two concerts lined up. Even the odd bridge night. And the Christmas party, of course. Plenty of fun to look forward to,’ a blonde-haired young woman who introduced herself as Ivy, assured me.
‘Are you musical? If so then don’t bother to join the choir as it seems to be a requirement that members should not be able to sing,’ another warned.
Everyone laughed, seeming to think this highly amusing.
‘I doubt I shall have much time to join anything. The Countess and the children keep me pretty busy.’
‘Oh, do make sure you get it written down what time off you are to be allowed.’
‘And when you are to be paid,’ another girl added. ‘Employers in financial difficulties can put off paying your wages, which isn’t right at all.’
‘The Belinskys are definitely not in any financial difficulties,’ I hastened to assure them. ‘I’m sure everything will be fine, once I’ve settled into a routine. But first I have to organise the refurbishment of the schoolroom.’ I went on to explain how the Countess wanted it to be in English style, so more advice followed on how best to achieve this in Russia. The most useful information came from Ruth.
‘I can certainly recommend a good carpenter to build the toy cupboard and everything you need. Stefan attends here regularly as his own mother came over last century to work as a governess herself for a Russian factory owner. She eventually married one of the employees. He’s bilingual and feels very much a part of the English community. He might well be around this afternoon. We’ll go and look for him after we’ve had tea.’
I set down my cup and saucer. ‘Perhaps we should look now as I really should be getting back.’
We found the young man in question and Ruth quickly explained my need for a good carpenter. He was tall and lean with well-muscled shoulders, red-brown hair and only the finest bristle of a moustache on his upper lip, rather than the heavy beard that was considered fashionable. I thought him rather good-looking.
‘So you work for Count Belinsky? Interesting. He is said to have considerable influence with the Tsar.’
‘That’s not what I’ve heard.’ I remembered the conversation over afternoon tea when the Count had spoken of the bullying uncles.
‘Oh, so he tells you his secrets, does he?’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘Ah, so you were listening in to a conversation? That’s interesting too.’
My cheeks grew warm, and, noticing my embarrassment, he laughed out loud. But I could hardly deny it to be true.
‘Stop teasing her, Stefan.’ Ruth chided him. ‘We all hear things we shouldn’t. It’s part of life in service, as you well know. And Count Belinsky is a very important minister.’
‘He’s certainly
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