«Why did we go here?» the puzzled Megan addressed Nina. The woman looked at her.
«Are you tired?» she asked, not answering the question. «Give me Dylon, I’ll hold him.»
Megan passed the boy to her friend, and, watching how the Russian held her son, showing him around, Megan smiled and forgot what she wanted to ask.
Helping him, Nina put Dylon down. The boy stood, stomping with his legs, and he hooted, excited. His green hat made him look like a real leprechaun, and Megan laughed.
«Have you ever seen the St. Patrick’s parade?» she asked the Russians.
«Yes,» replied Vera, to her surprise. «In Moscow it’s an annual celebration since 1992.»
«Wow.» Megan said. «I didn’t know that this holiday was so famous around the world.»
«Marina told me she saw a parade in Saint Petersburg also,» Nina added, and the name of Marina aroused unpleasant feelings in Megan’s heart.
«Where is she now?» Megan asked, trying not to show her concern.
«Marina told me she will come for sure.» Nina hoisted Dylon and made him comfortable on her chest. «But later. She has some business to attend to.»
«Hi Megan,» they heard, and saw another woman, one of Megan’s pals. Megan beamed, but the friend’s question put her smile out.
«You’re alone again,» the woman said. «Where is David? At work, eh?»
«Yes,» Megan answered, sighing.
«On Sunday?» The woman stared at Megan, and she felt a chill, sensing some hint in these questions.
Still carrying Dylon, Nina looked at the woman, attentively listening to their dialogue.
«Yes,» she cut in. «My husband, Vlad, is working today also. At the weekdays the students use the equipment. Our husbands have time to do the research only during weekends or breaks.»
The woman narrowed her eyes at Nina. «Have you ever called to the lab to check it out?»
«First of all,» retorted Nina. «I did call a few times, and he was there. I even visited the lab. But this is not because I don’t trust Vlad. Maybe it’s an American tradition to spy after your husband, eh?»
«I was just thinking,» the woman drawled with a dreamy voice. «How it’s romantic, the evening, the empty lab, the closed doors, no one around…»
«Yeah,» Nina snorted. «I bet you never were in the chemistry lab. Very romantic. Chemicals stink, the machines are buzzing. One little mistake and you lose the results of the day’s work.»
But her words only increased Megan’s worry.
«Hannah!» shaken, Megan called her daughter. «Do you want to see Daddy?»
«I want to see the parade.»
«It’s not good for kids to go to a chemistry lab,» Nina said in a calm tone. «Go, Megan, we’ll watch them.»