Of course Galina should have expected the question, a century of protectiveness though, is a hard thing to contain, still Galina managed it, her face as placid as ever. They needed a name, but not a whole name. Besides, to Galina Mari’s name was just that, her real name was not that of Galina’s sister as that made it truth enough.

“Meri.” Galina let the name fall between them, grateful that there were a number of other facts that could remain left unsaid. Just because had agreed to talk did not mean she had to explain absolutely everything, she only had to answer the questions directed at her.