Nicki knocked on the apartment door and turned the door handle. When the door opened slightly, she saw him lying on the bed. Andrey.
When he looked across at her, she saw he had two back eyes and a lump on his chin. He jumped off the bed and ushered her inside. What are you doing here? It's too dangerous for you to be here now.
Nicki didn't understand why, it had been fine a few nights ago, but now it was dangerous. Why? He didn't reply. Andrey, I need your help. I'm pregnant.
You've got to leave. I don't want to see you anymore.
Did you hear me, I'm pregnant, Nicki sobbed.
I heard you, now go or I'll carry you out of here.
But you can't treat me like this. Her sobs became stronger. But we had.........such a lovely time.......I know you........care about me. She put her hand on his shoulder trying to pull her to him.
No, Nicki, I don't want you, I'm not interested in you or your baby. Now go. I won't ask you again.
This can't be happening. Three weeks ago everything was fine; now her life had become a living hell. Her tears went, replaced by anger. How can you do this, you heartless bastard. You could look at the very least offer to help me look after the child financially.
He took hold of her by her coat, marched her to the door and pushed her through it. She heard it close and the lock turn. When Andrey lay on the bed, he put his hands over his ears to block out the echoes of Nicki's sobs as she went down the stairs.
Before Nicki left the stairwell, she wrote a note. When she went through the restaurant she handed it to Mel. Give him this will you? she said.
Betty's tea room wasn't busy. Nicki counted four people. Two elderly ladies, deep in conversation, a young mother struggling to keep her toddler quiet and a man in a business suit. Betty's was the premier tea room in New York and usually impossible to get a table at. Nicki wondered what she was doing in such an expensive place. She had precious little money and not much prospect of getting any in the near future.
Nathan came in through the main entrance and looked around for her. When he spotted her, he smiled and wandered over to the table in his usual casual manner.
Can't stay away from me, he said hopefully.
Nathe I called you because I need your help. She knew it was a liability contacting him after she had dumped him, but she was getting desperate.
Sure anything, he smiled. He took her hand, but she pulled back.
I'm pregnant Nathan. I'm pregnant, and I really need a favor.
You're what? Now there was no chance they would ever get back together. So why the hell did you call me and not the father? Nicki avoided his gaze.
He doesn't want to have anything to do with me.
I'm not surprised, he said cruelly. You're behaving like a whore. Limping from one man to the next.
Nicki tried to ignore his words. Can you help me get a job at the Times?
You're kidding. Maybe I could have helped you, but now you're pregnant how do you expect anyone to employ you? The waitress appeared carrying a menu. The manner in which he waved her away did little to make her long day any better. There is no chance. Do you seriously expect to start a job and then a few months later go on pregnancy leave? Which boss in his right mind would welcome that? She nodded and stared out of the window at a woman with a pushchair. What happened to your dream of being freelance. Did it go down the pan as I told you it would?
I have written a couple of things that haven't sold. I don't have the energy to chase the big stories. Most mornings I'm hanging over the toilet.
Well you should have thought about that before you went screwing around. He scowled and drew in a large gulp of air. Here's what I suggest. You either go home to your parents or you look in the paper for a part-time job until the baby is born. I've noticed there's plenty of jobs for office cleaners. Goodbye, Nicki. When he got up, her eyes followed him to the door. What he was no longer there, she felt empty as never before.
When Andrey saw Sokolov, he wanted to kill him. His treatment of both him and Mel had been arrogant and brutal, and it was time to teach him a lesson.
Andrey, my boy, have you come to apologize?
No I've come to tell you that you are a two-bit piece of shit. You're nothing but a low life, whore fucker.
Sokolov flew into a rage. He got up and tried to grab Andrey, but he was too fast and dodged the heavier man. Andrey continued to goad him.
All you've done with your life is threaten and rob people.
Sokolov was now at one side of the sofa and Andrey, the other. They played cat and mouse around the sofa for a few seconds, before Andrey spoke again.
You've never done half the things attributed to you. Everyone thinks you're a tough guy. You're not, you're a pussy.
Sokolov was now beside himself. He jumped over the sofa and caught Andrey by his T-shirt. Andrey pulled away hard, leaving Sokolov holding the shirt. I've done more with my life than you will ever do. Who do you think you are? I'm gonna kill you, Sokolov shouted. One of his bodyguards appeared, but Sokolov held his hand up. Leave this to me.