Helena Halme - The Red King of Helsinki - Lies, Spies and Gymnastics

‘Who can that be, at this time of the night?’ Maija said.

Iain turned to the door first, ‘Let me,’ he said. He feared the worst. Had Kovtun gone for reinforcements? Surely he wouldn’t ring the bell!

The boy Iain had followed into the British Council was standing at the door. He had a wide grin on his face. His hands were in the pockets of his half-open jacket.

Pia let out a cry, ‘Oh, Heikki, it’s you!’

‘That’s cool, what’s up, baby?’ The boy looked from Pia to her mother, then to Iain. There was not a flicker of recognition. Iain said, in English, ‘How do you do, I’m Iain Collins.’

The boy looked at Pia, then took Iain’s hand and shook it with a force that took Iain by surprise. Pia shut the door behind the boy and said, coyly, to her mother, ‘Mum, this is Heikki Tuomila.’

Maija shook the boy’s hand. She hesitated for a moment, then said ‘It is rather late, but would you like some coffee?’ She made for the kitchen.

Pia took the boy’s jacket, and, leading him by the hand, followed her mother. Iain stood in the hall for a moment. He knew he should leave. Had it been a normal scenario, a boyfriend’s first introduction to a girl’s mother, he would have. However, he could not be sure of the boy’s motives, or his involvement. Nor could he be sure Pia wouldn’t still tell her mother or the boy everything. He needed the Colonel’s advice.

‘Maija, could I use your telephone? I know it’s late.’ He glanced at his watch. It had gone half past nine.

‘Of course,’ Maija said and disappeared back into the kitchen. Iain could hear Pia giggle. He was glad she’d recovered a little. For now at least. While on the phone, maybe he could keep one ear out to the kitchen. The boy’s arrival seemed to have distracted Pia enough. All the same, he needed to warn the Colonel.

‘Hello, it’s Iain Collins. I’m sorry but I’m not able to make it tomorrow.’ Iain paused. The Colonel said nothing. ‘But something has come up. I have an old friend who needs my help. He’s asked for it quite suddenly.’

‘Our old friend from the East?’

‘The two will clash.’

There was a silence at the other end.

‘Ask the girl to come to the Council to return the books.’

‘Yes, I’m afraid this is quite necessary, there is also the one who left without paying. He’s now reappeared.’

‘The boyfriend? Don’t worry about him. I’ve got someone on his tail,’ the Colonel said.

Iain laughed, ‘Well, what can I do?’

‘You’re doing fine, just make sure there’s no one outside when you leave and I’ll come and see you tomorrow at the Council.’

‘Thank you. Goodbye.’ Iain replaced the receiver.

When Iain entered the kitchen, Maija, Pia and the boy sat around the small kitchen table, drinking coffee. It never ceased to amaze Iain how long Finns could just sit without speaking to each other. Iain sat next to Maija, who poured him coffee. The silence continued. Every now and then Pia smiled at the boy, but still not a word from anyone.

‘Well,’ Iain began. Everyone lifted their heads from the coffee cups and looked at him. ‘I must go.’

‘OK,’ Maija stood up.

Iain held his hand out to Heikki, ‘Nice to meet you and goodbye.’ There was still no change of facial expression from the boy. Iain was relieved.

‘And Pia, could you return the English books tomorrow, please? Whenever suits you, I’ll be there all day.’

Heikki lifted his eyes at this, and said, ‘Can I come too, Mr Collins? I’ve never been to the British Council.’

Pia woke up the next morning and looked down onto the street. A strong wind was blowing wisps of snow over the pavement. A woman, hunched up against the cold, was walking briskly towards the tram stop. Everything looked familiar. Pia began to wonder if she had just imagined being held by the KGB at Anni’s flat. Did she really see Kovtun stand on the same pavement last night? She hoped Anni would be at school today. Pia leaned against the Venetian blinds and thought about Heikki. She wrapped her hands around her body. Pia couldn’t wait to see him and Anni. After she had spoken with Iain this afternoon everything would get back to normal. The KGB and the English could sort whatever it was they were fighting over amongst themselves.

The steps to the main hall were very slippery. Pia had to follow a line of sand the school caretaker had sprinkled over them in the morning. The soles of Pia’s boots were so worn out she had to be very careful. With her head bent, she didn’t spot Heikki talking to Sasha until she was almost next to them. They were standing very close to each other. Heikki was speaking in a low voice.

‘I know I’m not supposed to get involved, but you haven’t exactly been an angel either! ’ Heikki poked his finger at Sasha’s chest. She nearly lost her balance and then turned her face and saw Pia. Sasha’s eyes were black with anger. She moved her eyes from Pia to Heikki, and back, nodding. Heikki turned around and said, ‘Hi baby.’

Sasha rolled her eyes and turned on her heels.

Heikki put his arm around Pia’s shoulders. She felt the warm sensation in her stomach that she always did when he touched her. He squeezed Pia and gave her a quick kiss. ‘See you later in class,’ he said, releasing her and waving goodbye.

Sasha was watching them from where the lockers were. Pia ran to her. Her bag was heavy with books this morning and it slowed her, but she reached Sasha just as she was shutting her locker door.

‘Oh hello, baby,’ Sasha said in a mocking voice.

‘What are you up to?’ Pia tried to keep the anger out of her voice. It was about time Sasha realised it was she, Pia, who Heikki wanted.

‘What do you mean?’ Sasha was wearing a new pink angora jumper with a huge round collar over her tight white jeans. She put her hand on her hip and looked Pia up and down. The stacked heels of Sasha’s brown boots made her the same height as Pia. She wished she had new clothes to wear. Instead she had on last year’s brown cords and her favourite white college shirt. The outfit she’d worn to school nearly every day of the term.

‘Sasha, you know Heikki and me are an item now, so there’s no need to keep on trying to get him for yourself,’ Pia said.

Sasha laughed, throwing her head back, her blonde curls shaking with the movement. ‘You are a silly girl,’ she said and left.

Pia threw her bag down on the floor and wished she’d kept her mouth shut for once. She looked around to see who had heard their conversation. A few kids from the lower school were loitering at the far end of the row of lockers. No other sixth formers were around. Pia could have been humiliated in front of everyone. Then she saw what time it was – on top of everything, now she was late for her first class with the Old Crow. She wondered how to avoid Sasha during the lesson. But when she approached the classroom all she could see from the doorway was an empty desk where Anni was supposed to be sitting.

Even Pia’s handstands were off kilter, Leena thought, as she watched her team of five gymnasts practise their programme. Only two days to go and Pia stood out like a sore thumb.

Leena sighed.

‘Pia Mäkelä, you alone, one more practice of the whole programme!’ she shouted from the end of the gym hall. ‘Others watch and see what can be improved in Pia’s performance!’

Pia walked slowly to the corner of the blue mat and lifted her arms up.

‘Wait for the signal!’

Leena let Pia stand there for a few moments. ‘Now, take a deep breath in, prepare yourself, and, starting with the front handspring, go!’ Leena watched as Pia struggled to keep her balance, pulled her legs down and moved into the front roll, looking like a sack of potatoes. She struggled in the handstand, but at least she kept herself upright. When her legs were pointing up into the air, her feet were together and she stayed still for a fraction of a second. The thumping sound she made as she landed made Leena wince. The girl’s bulk seemed magnified on the gym mat. But one must stay professional. Leena put her hands together for a clap to a performance that had Pia panting. The other girls, who’d done a hundred percent better, joined their teacher in showing Pia their appreciation. They clapped enthusiastically.