Give me all your batteries and half a kilo of cheese strings, I said. From the look on the woman’s face, it was the worst Russian she’d ever heard. Nevertheless, I got my cheese; and a clear plastic bag full of triple-AAA batteries – some brand I’d never heard of and didn’t dare pronounce – all wrapped up in an elastic band.The storm was raging outside; a fierce gale that had descended from nowhere, whipping the harbour into a maelstrom and sending pedestrians scurrying for cover.