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us have a month off.”
    â€œWe didn’t want to do it any earlier,” Katya explained, “with so many of Jeffrey’s family coming over here for the wedding.”
    â€œSo for right now we are planning a few days up in Scotland.” Jeffrey exchanged eager looks with Katya. “I’ve booked us a room in an inn built in the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
    â€œDo you have your heart set on Scotland?” Alexander asked.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œIf I may, I’d like to suggest a change of itinerary. That is, if you wouldn’t mind combining your days of vacation with one day of work.”
    â€œI suppose it would depend on where you want to send us.”
    â€œHow about Monte Carlo?”
    Katya gasped. “Monte Carlo! I hear it’s just fabulous.” She caught herself, turned to Jeffrey. “Oh, but maybe you had your heart set on Glasgow.”
    â€œEdinburgh,” Jeffrey corrected.
    â€œWherever,” she said, trying to hide her smile. “Of course, I would miss seeing all those men in kilts. You know what I heard about—”
    â€œA honeymoon in Monte Carlo sounds fantastic,” Jeffrey said. “But it’s a little out of our price range.”
    â€œWe’re talking business here,” Alexander said. “Plus maybe a little extra wedding gift. Believe me, if I could go, I would. As I cannot, I would be most pleased—and grateful—if you could go in my stead.”
    â€œI guess I should see to hotel reservations,” Jeffrey said.
    â€œThe Hotel de Paris,” Alexander said firmly. “The only place to stay in Monte Carlo, if you don’t mind my saying. It is situated on the harbor, just across the square from the Casino. A marvelous old place, as grand as the Vienna opera house.” He smiled fondly at them both. “It should make for a most memorable start to what I have no doubt will be a wonderful life together.”
    ****
    They went directly from the hospital to Alexander’s flat. Katya bid Gregor a sad farewell, then left to resume the complex business of moving a wedding. Gregor followed Jeffrey toward their waiting taxi and asked, “When are you again coming to Poland?”
    Jeffrey turned to stare at him. “You can’t be serious.”
    â€œA shipment is ready for you,” Gregor replied. “And the young man from the Ukraine, remember him?”
    â€œI can’t leave Alexander alone. Not now.”
    â€œThe young man’s name is Yussef. He is ready to take you across the border. He says there are some excellent buys waiting,” Gregor pressed. “This may be a major opportunity.”
    Jeffrey remained silent.
    â€œI understand, my young friend. I truly understand. But you must also ask yourself, what would Alexander have you do? Who will pick up the reins if not you?” Gregor gave Jeffrey’s shoulder an affectionate pat. “I shall hope to see you before the end of the month. Such urgent matters cannot wait longer than that.”
    â€œI’m sorry to see you go back to Poland so soon.”
    â€œI have been away as long as my responsibilities will allow.” Gregor hesitated, then added quietly, “Not to mention my own human frailties.”
    â€œYou don’t want to go?”
    â€œWant, want, want,” Gregor shook his head. “So much of our thoughts hinge on that word, don’t they? Especially these days. And yet I must follow the call of my Lord; that is what I want above all else.”
    â€œBut you’d like to stay?” Jeffrey persisted.
    â€œLife is very hard in my Poland just now,” Gregor replied. He climbed into the taxi, waited while Jeffrey gave the driver directions, then continued, “Change has brought benefits for some, trauma to many. It is easy to forget, while living there, that such places as London truly exist.”
    â€œConditions are growing