‘I really don’t know how I can ever thank you. You really have ridden to the rescue, just as if you were Brünnhilde in real life. Or is it Eva? Goodness, how dreadfully difficult Parsifal is.’ ‘Oh, never mind that,’ said Olga diffidently, ‘I just pulled a few strings, that’s all.’ ‘Pulled them to great effect, nonetheless, Olga. I am in your debt, I find, though I understand we are to lose our last six bottles of some wine or other that Georgie will feel it a great wrench to be without.’ ‘Yes, I’m sorry about that,’ Olga replied. ‘It was just one of those moments, you know, when you feel events are at a tipping point and you just need to throw one last thing into the scales finally to tip the balance in your favour.’ ‘I understand entirely,’ Lucia said truthfully, for was she not also an aficionado of the fine art of manipulating human behaviour? ‘Think nothing of it. It is a small price to pay.’ ‘Now, are you quite clear about the plan?’ Olga asked.
