– The question is, why haven't you ever come to Toronto to see me? – I answered with a laugh, squeezing her palms in mine. – Oh, my friend, how I missed you!

– Missed you so much that you didn't even bother to come to my twenty-fifth birthday party? – Misha said in a resentful tone. – Everyone was there! Everyone but you! It's not fair of you!

– Well, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I repent. – I hugged her again, and she eagerly responded to my embrace. – You're so beautiful, Misha, I can't believe you're not nineteen anymore… You were nineteen when we last saw each other, weren't you?

– Yes, but I'll be twenty-seven soon! And you have to swear that you'll come to every birthday party.

– Okay, I swear, but don't take offence.

Misha laughed happily, grabbed my hand, and led me up the wide steps leading to the main entrance of the castle. She was almost running, and I tried to keep up with her in my high heels. I turned round to see what Martin was doing: he was taking my suitcase out of the boot of his car.

– No, Martin, put it back, I'm staying in a hotel," I told him.

– What?" Misha suddenly stopped abruptly and I bumped into her. – Why a hotel?

– Because my relationship with my parents and Mariszka is not as rosy as yours, – I explained. I lied. My parents and Mariszka had nothing to do with my desire for privacy at the hotel. They may have heard my lies now, but I just couldn't be here. I couldn't.

– But that's just…

– No, Misha, don't insist.

My harsh tone embarrassed her. And I immediately regretted it. Misha is a very easy target, fragile. She always takes things personally.

– I'm sorry. Please don't insist, okay? – I asked her in an affectionate tone of voice. – I have my reasons.

– I just thought… I haven't seen you in so long… You're going to leave so soon! – Misha mumbled, looking down at the driveway.

– Yes, I'm flying back tomorrow morning," I confirmed quietly. – But I'll definitely come to your birthday, I will!

– Right. In two and a half months! – Misha grumbled resentfully.

– Two months is nothing, you know that.

– Then you must promise to come for at least a week!

– I promise, you little extortionist.

Misha smiled broadly.

– But how are you doing? – I hurriedly turned the conversation to another topic.

– Everything is magical! We moved to Stockholm.

– I know that, Martin told me. What else?

– Nothing interesting yet. That's true.

– What about your husband?

– Oh! Fredrik got an invitation from the Royal Swedish Orchestra to play the nyckelharpa! – Misha 's eyes shone with pride.

I remember him playing that strange instrument. He's a virtuoso, you can't argue with that. But I knew Fredrik very well.

– And he refused," I said in an affirmative tone.

– Yes… But it would have been great… You know, we even had a little fight about it… – Misha grimaced.

I know how much she loves Fredrik, and that every disagreement is like a thunderclap for her.

– … but then they made up. I just want to make sure his talent isn't wasted!

– I don't think he sees it that way. – I said with a laugh.

– No, of course not… By the way, do you know who will celebrate with us? – suddenly asked Misha.

– Martin told me. Brandon? – I replied grimly.

– No… Brandon left literally five minutes ago…

– Yeah?" I interrupted my sister. – I'm sorry. Why?

– Mariszka said that Cedric and Brandon can't stand each other," Misha explained in a sad tone. – And when Cedric saw Brandon, he suddenly had something very urgent to do. Brandon ended up giving little Cedric presents and leaving. And Cedric suddenly said that his important business could be taken care of tomorrow. There.