For a moment, Anatoly looked over at Freddie, resignation in his face. Florence did not understand why the two of them were locked in their constant cycle of arguments and fist fights and he did not think she ever would. It was wrong of him, he knew, and if he were a better person, he would make every effort to stay clear.

The truth was that he needed Freddie as much as Freddie needed him. They were bitter rivals, they were each other's benchmark. They were two great grandmasters in a titanic battle and no one could come close to matching them. They were tied together because of Florence and all the other things that had happened and if they didn't go up against each other, they might go mad.

"You know him," Anatoly said to Florence, deliberately ignoring Freddie. "When have you ever know him to get over anything?"