The Before Short Story Series. Part 1 - Иван Перепелятник

floor, where household goods were displayed, she chose a birthday gift for Katerina, which she could ask her mother to buy later. Having decided on the choice of a gift for a friend, Bella again went down to the first floor, where she decided to study cosmetics and perfumes on display.

One of the shop attendants approached the girl:

‘Hello. Can I help you with anything? Where’s your mom?’

‘Hello. I came here for bread.’

‘Ah, I see. So you go to that department over there, darling,’ the attendant pointed to the other side of the store.

‘Yes, thank you. I know.’

‘Well, that’s fine. I’ll buy some bread and go home if everyone is so worried,’ Bella thought.

‘Bella, is it you? Bella Chapska?’ a guy in a grey tracksuit and a cap caught up with her on the street when she was already approaching home.

Bella looked at the guy and walked on.

‘Bella, where are you going? Don’t you recognize me or what? I’m Uncle Chuck. Your dad’s cousin. Dad asked me to meet you and keep an eye on you while he’s busy. Look,’ Uncle handed

Bella a communicator with a video message recorded by dad: Chuck, hi. Could you meet Bella today and look after her for a couple of hours while I’m at work sorting things out. I have to stay a little longer today. Help me out, my friend, would you!».

Bella looked at Uncle Chuck again:

‘I don’t remember you,’ she said uncertainly.

‘Well, you remember your dad,’ Uncle Chuck smiled. Bella nodded in affirmative. ‘Well, that’s great then. Give me your hand and let’s go. We’ll wait for Dad at my place. I live not far from here.’

Uncle Chuck called a capsule to make sure not to miss Dad and in 15 minutes they were already at his house in the living room.

‘I told your dad that we are here and waiting for him. He sent you a big hello.’

Bella was sitting in an armchair and watching cartoons on the wall panel.

‘What do you like better—ice cream or chocolate? Bella?’

‘Mom won’t let me eat ice cream. And Dad says that eating chocolate is bad for my teeth.’

‘Yeah, good. And what do you think yourself?’

‘I love ice cream and chocolate.’

‘I thought so, Bella! I just happen to have a chocolate ice cream! Let’s make a deal like this. I’m going to make two servings of ice cream for you and me, we’re going to eat it together. And then…and then we’ll play with you! Agreed?’ Uncle Chuck smiled and looked at Bella almost like Dad.

‘All right, Uncle Chuck.’

‘Well, there! That’s quite another story! Wait here. I’ll be right back.’

There was some noise in the corridor. Someone entered the place.

‘Uncle Chuck! Ow! Are you home, Uncle Chuck?’

Uncle Chuck suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Stunned and taken by surprise, he stood in the kitchen with two bowls of ice cream in his hands. Having recovered from shock, he put the ice cream on the table and went out into the corridor, where his mother was standing in the doorway.

‘Ah! Here you are, my dear Uncle Chuck. How are you?’

He looked his mother straight in the eye, his heart racing.

‘Where’s our sweet little Bella?’ the mother went into the living room. ‘Ah, there she is! Hello, Bella! You’ve grown up so much! You are such a beauty! Damn it!’ Entering the room, the woman hit a coffee table. She was still wearing her sunglasses, even though it was dark in the living room. The trees in the backyard, where the windows looked out, blocked the sunlight.

‘I’m sorry, Bella. Swearing is not good at all. Oh well. My name is… Tina. I’m your Uncle Chuck’s mom. It turns out that I am your great-aunt. I’m really glad that we finally met, Bella.’

The girl, confused completely, sat quietly in a chair, not knowing what to do next. She felt like crying.

‘So! Grandma commanded. ‘Crying is the last thing we need, Bella. It’s all good, isn’t it?! I’m taking you home now, baby. Your dad will be home soon. Come on, pack up and let’s go, honey. I’ll call the car now.’

‘Bella, say your uncle bye-bye,’ grandma took the girl by the hand, and they left the house.

Uncle Chuck was still standing in the dark corridor, motionless.

Sir Lawrence

‘That damn middle-aged dandy Richardson is ahead of me by 7 points. And this is only the middle of the campaign. Do you get it? By seven points! What are we going to do?! What?! What are we going to do with it?! The election is in four months. We have lost. Damn it!!’ Peter was pacing up and down the room like a wind-up toy. His noble profile was reflected in the mirrors of the bright living room, where his assistant and personal secretary were watching him going hysterical. Lord Lawrence’s evening program included a visit to the Royal Albert Hall. He was almost ready, just to change for a dinner jacket.

‘Please calm down, sir. You can’t torment yourself like that. It could end up bad. Peter, you’re not a hundred years old. So think about your health first, sir,’ his assistant tried to calm down the patron.

‘What do we have on him? Have you collected the material? Have you been able to collect any material at all? Damn you!’ He plopped down in a chair opposite his employees and his lean body jumped slightly in it, making him even more unhappy.

‘Elsa! Elsa!’ Sir Lawrence called the maid in a shrill voice. ‘Where the hell did she get to?! ELSA!

Elsa floated into the living room in a hurry:

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Tea, please, bring us tea. And cookies, as I like it.’

‘Of course, sir. I’ll do it straight away, sir. Is there anything else you’d like,