“I think your hair is pretty,” Mishka said with glowing eyes.
“And I think Kat’s hair is pretty. I saw it in the sunlight today, and it glowed like copper. So rich and warm. And all those waves. It’s beautiful. One of my favorite actresses when I was growing up had hair just like yours.”
“Who’s that?” Kat looked sincerely interested.
“Nicole Kidman.”
Kat frowned. “She’s a blonde. I’ve seen some of her movies.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s a natural redhead. But you can research it if you want.”
Kat didn’t respond to that, and since Mrs. Warner was serving, Meredith thought it wise to let the subject rest. Seed planting, that’s what she was doing. Would it make a difference or do any good? Only time would tell. But at least Mishka looked amused and was keeping his opinions about it to himself.
After dinner, Meredith asked both children what they normally did in the evenings. But neither of them could think of anything.
“Well, what about when your father is here with you?” she persisted. “Do you still do nothing?”
“Papa hardly ever comes here with us. He’s too busy.”
“We watch movies sometimes,” Mishka offered.
“Do you have television here?” Meredith hadn’t seen any sign of it.
“In the big room,” Mishka explained. “In that big cabinet across from the fireplace. We have lots and lots of movies, especially Disney ones that Grandmama got for Mama when she was a little girl.”
“Oh?” Meredith was interested. “Did your grandmother bring your mother here when she was young?”
“Yes. Many times,” Mishka offered.
“Grandmama loves this house.” Kat pushed her chair from the table. “It was lost to the Nazi’s during WWII. Grandmama wasn’t born yet, but her parents told her about what happened. And she has it all written down.”
“What happened?” Meredith asked with real curiosity.
“Well, our principality, Rotslavia, had been seized by the Nazis shortly after Austria joined the Third Reich. But the Russians wanted our country too, in order to fight the Germans. So the royal family escaped and went into hiding. Grandmama says it was hard traveling, but they somehow made it to a remote island near Crete, where they purchased property and pretended to be common farmers until the war was over.”
“That’s fascinating.” Meredith set down her empty coffee cup. “I’d love to read your grandmother’s story about it.”
“There are lots of copies in the royal library,” Mishka bragged.
“Any around here?”
Mishka cocked his head to one side. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, should we explore the movie options?” Meredith suggested. “I haven’t seen a good Disney film in years.”
“Can we watchSwiss Family Robinson?” Mishka asked eagerly.
Kat groaned. “Not again. He always wants that movie.”
“It’s my favorite.”
“I like it too,” Meredith told him. “How about we compromise. Since Kat is older, she can choose tonight’s movie, and you can choose the next one. Okay?”
He reluctantly agreed.
“I don’t know about you two, but I like popcorn with a movie. Any chance we can find some around here?”
“Yes, yes.” Mishka jumped up. “I’ll ask Mrs. Warner.”
