Two weeks after his meeting with Carlos, Sir Geoffrey arrived at the Grand Hotel Europe in the center of St Petersburg. He had brought Big Mike along with him, more for company than protection. Petrov had arranged a grand party in his honour. Sir Geoffrey was flattered that such a powerful and wealthy man would throw a party where he was the guest of honour, but he couldn’t really relax until the vases had arrived in good condition and had been accepted by Petrov.

A Rolls Royce arrived at the hotel to take Sir Geoffrey and Mike to Petrov’s mansion. After driving for about twenty minutes, they turned off the main road onto a wide driveway. The driveway seemed to go on for miles. When they finally slowed down, they saw a huge building, floodlit from all directions. When Sir Geoffrey saw it, his jaw dropped. 

“This isn’t a mansion, it’s a bloody palace,” he said to Mike.

He was as equally impressed when they were shown into the Grand Hall. This puts Carlos’s penthouse to shame, he thought. He didn’t have to guess which of the two had spent more money on antiques, paintings and furnishings.

The interior of Petrov´s mansion was even more impressive than the exterior. The whole scene just reeked of untold wealth. 

Mike said, “Bloody hell, it must cost more to keep this place going for a month than I could earn in a lifetime!”

The Grand Hall, where the party was being held, was oval-shaped with rich mahogany panelling set against the cream-coloured walls. Inside the panels were paintings from the Renaissance and each panel was separated by a marble pedestal on which stood a bust of some of the most celebrated Russians, including Tolstoy, Chekov, Yuri Gagarin, Tchaikovsky, Lenin. Mike looked for a bust of Stalin but was not surprised when he couldn’t find one.

In the centre of the room, there was a raised dias. On the dias were several chairs, a piano and other musical instruments—all set up ready for live music. 

Not all of the guests had arrived, but Sir Geoffrey already recognised a few of them. They included royalty with some Counts and even a Grand Duchess. There were actors, musicians, ballet dancers and also prominent business men and women, including billionaire Andriane Smirnoff; Vladimir Polina, a close aid to the President, and so many others that Sir Geoffrey thought that half of Russia’s elite were there!

Petrov appeared on the dias and grabbed a microphone. He spoke in perfect English thanking the guests for coming and introducing the guest of honour, Sir Geoffrey Fender. He hoped that they would enjoy the evening and get to know each other. He pointed to the far side of the room saying that dinner would be served in about thirty minutes. He then repeated his short speech in Russian. As he left the dias, the band took up their places and started playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto Number 2, to get the evening off to a relaxing start! 

Petrov introduced Sir Geoffrey to some of the most important guests. Sir Geoffrey was comfortable speaking to them in Russian, but some were anxious to practise their English and it was a strain to understand them. However, his mind was elsewhere. He would not be able to relax until he was sure that the vases were safely signed off.

After the most important guests had been introduced, Petrov said he had to check on the dinner arrangements and suggested that Sir Geoffrey should circulate and meet some new people. Sir Geoffrey looked around and saw Mike sitting on a chair near the door with a piled plate on his lap. He nodded and smiled as Mike gave him a thumbs up sign. He then noticed Petrov’s secretary standing on her own sipping champagne. 

Petrov’s personal secretary, Romana Tarasova, was very attentive to her boss’s every need. Petrov had not formally introduced her to Sir Geoffrey, but as he had met her once before, he walked over and re-introduced himself. He was pleased that she remembered him. They had been exchanging small talk for a few minutes when Petrov reappeared with two fresh glasses of champagne. 

“I see you’ve met my personal secretary, Romana,” he said.

“Yes, we met a few months ago at the embassy—remember the Trade Delegation party. Romana speaks excellent English and my head is beginning to ache trying to keep up with my conversational Russian,” said Sir Geoffrey with a chuckle. 

Petrov turned to Romana and said, “Would you please entertain Sir Geoffrey. I think he finds it tiresome to listen to the incomprehensible English of some of our guests.”

He turned back towards Sir Geoffrey and said, “You’re correct, Romana speaks English as well as any Russian in St Petersburg, and she has many interesting tales to tell.” 

He handed them the drinks and left to continue mingling with his guests.