Approaching a long white fence, beyond which there was the residence, Lena took off her shoes, threw one of them over the fence, then the second one.

– Follow me! – She commanded. Pavel shook his head, but obeyed.

The guard was interested in flown items, so they climbed through a secret passage and entered the territory of the residence. They found themselves in front of a huge oak tree in the park – and stood there with their legs apart and their hands behind the back.

– Elena Mikhailovna! – Chief of the guard was screaming at her, surrounded by his subordinates. – There, there is a door! And above it, there is a doorbell!

– Boys, –she began playfully, turning to them. – Pavel and I were walking past the residence. I was in a good mood. There was nobody in the street, and I allowed myself a weakness – tossed up a shoe, and it accidentally flew over the fence. So I decided to climb in, but I would not climb in one shoe, like a fool. That’s why I threw the second one.

– Kostya! – Chief of the guard shouted to his subordinate, who stood at a distance. – Come here, you should hear this.

The young man approached.

– That’s what I love you for, Elena Mikhailovna. Every time you penetrate here you come up with a new explanation, and you have never repeated yourself in your explanations!

– I thought Cheburashka was not alone, – Lena explained guiltily.

Chief of the guard sighed and said:

– Victoria Eduardovna is absent. She will not return soon.

– Your hand, Pavel, – Elena approached Pavel. He silently handed her an elbow. She took Pavel’s arm and, watched by the six guards, they went to the two-story house at the end of the square. Other guards opened the door for them. Pavel

and Lena entered the house and mounted the stairs to the second floor. There, at the door, they stopped.

– Pasha, I can’t face him!

She became worried, as a person worries before an important conversation in life.

– Well, come on! We got through such things here! – Pavel became indignant.

She hesitated.

– Listen. You start first: introduce yourself and so on, and I… I’ll hide here and then I’ll go out from behind a corner.

– Well, what… – Pavel rebelled. But seeing how hard it all was for her, he gave in. Meanwhile, someone was going to the door and, seeing a familiar silhouette, Elena hid around the corner.

– Hello, Anatoliy Mikhailovich.

– Hello, Pavel Nikolayevich.

– Do you know my name?

Pavel did not expect it. Inside, he realized that there was a guard and other informants, but he was pleased that a person of such high rank called him by name.

– But you did not come alone, – the owner of the house began delicately.

– No. She said to tell you that she sees your relationship differently, that they should be built on a different basis, on the basis of mutual understanding.

– I just feel as if at a meeting. Where is she? Is she alive?

– Yes, yes, everything is fine. She asked me to tell you that…

– That you are an asshole! That’s what I wanted to tell you, – she came from behind a cover, placing hands on the belt.

– Pasha, go take a walk!

Pavel went one stairwell down and out into the street.

– Come in, – Anatoliy Mikhailovich suggested to Elena.

She entered and remained standing at the door.

– Tolya, listen to me, do not interrupt, I have to go… I have a lot to say to you.

– I read that you were dead, almost went crazy.

She paused. He kept silence, too, looking at her, afraid to touch, to get closer.

– You know, I dream that you will live in a huge mansion in a village. When someone calls at the door, you will appear in your chestnut gown, busily tightening the belt, and ask: “What do you want?” And I will live with you, we will have many children, and the oldest one, Misha, will look after everything… It will be my best role. Thank you for everything that I have experienced… Yes, – she changed the tone.

– They searched for my diary at Sergey’s. Elections are soon, and then…

– Yes, I know what’s then. We are already engaged in it.

– You can abandon your search, here it is.

She handed him a small book.

– I will not keep anything anymore. Let it remain with you. As a souvenir.

She went out and closed the door quietly.

– Did it become easier?

Pavel waited for Lena in the car. She drooped even more and stared out the window. He did not wait for an answer and started the car.