Lavrik returned twenty minutes later. In addition to the bucket in his hand was a bottle of vodka. Olya put the kettle on and stepped aside to let the old man through. Lavrik fussed, the girl heard the glass filling with a gurgle.

- Will you drink?

Olga gritted her teeth and sat down at the table, frowningly watching the owner of the apartment. Lavrik, understanding her silence in his own way, put down the second glass and poured it. Without further ado, he tipped the liquid into himself. Olga looked at how his Adam's apple rose and fell, and red spots appeared on his cheeks. Squeezing his eyes shut,...