by Koppel, Hans
Anna listened to it all and blinked furiously at her own reflection. She hadn’t put a racing car sweet on her husband’s pillow. And Hedda obviously hadn’t done it either.
Anna had finished brushing her teeth, but continued so she had time to think. There was only one answer. Someone had been in the house. Wrong, Erik had been in the house.
Erik had been in her house, walked in like it was the most natural thing in the world and left a sweet on Magnus’ pillow. But why? Why on earth would he do anything as bizarre as that?
‘You can have mine,’ Magnus said to Hedda, ‘but you can’t eat it until tomorrow, because you’ve just brushed your teeth.’
There were no limits to what Erik could do, he really was sick. The best thing would be to admit everything, tell Magnus about their encounter at Mölle and her subsequent visits to his flat, the video. No, not the video. Magnus must not find out about that, under any circumstances. If he ever saw the recording, it would be over. He would never recover.
Anna stopped brushing, spat and rinsed. She went into the bedroom.
‘You’re so sweet,’ Magnus beamed.
Anna gave a quick smile, got undressed and crept into bed. She reached over for her book and opened it. A piece of paper fell out. It wasn’t her usual bookmark. Anna looked at the piece of paper and read the handwritten message.
Small car, big… Who do you want beside you in bed?
A currently contented husband, an unhappy daughter and her own emotional life in disarray – all because of some idiotic fling at a hotel in Mölle.
The first and the last didn’t matter so much. His pleasure in the car would gradually be replaced by complaints about the costs. She had sold her own peace of mind for a few incredible orgasms. Which might seem like an unreasonably high price, but it was nothing compared to what Hedda was suffering. Magnus’ insinuation that someone was making prank calls to her could not be magicked away.
When they dropped her off at school, she looked so unsure as she walked towards the entrance.
‘Maybe it’s someone who’s in love with you,’ Anna tried.
Hedda glared at her.
‘Yuck,’ Magnus said. ‘That must be it.’
He turned and Anna noticed how happy he was with his hands on the steering wheel.
‘It might be someone who’s wanting to annoy us too,’ she said.
Magnus smiled as if to say it was a nice thought, but not plausible.
‘You don’t need to drive me,’ Anna said. ‘I can take the bus.’
‘Of course I’ll drive you,’ Magnus objected. ‘You can’t take that pleasure from me.’
‘What do you mean by pleasure?’
‘I would love to give you a lift.’
‘Have I taken any other pleasure from you?’
Magnus didn’t understand.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘When you said that pleasure it sounded like you thought I’d clipped your wings in other areas.’
Magnus shook his head.
‘What’s up with you?’
Anna didn’t answer. She just stared ahead, but could feel his gaze switching between her and the road.
‘Is everything okay?’ he asked.
Anna put her elbow up by the window and rested her head in her hand.
‘Just a bit stressed at work.’
‘Do you need to work overtime?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Don’t worry if you do. I’ll look after supper.’
He dropped her off outside the publishing house. Sissela was walking round from the parking place.
‘New car?’ she said, and waved blithely at Magnus.
‘Newish, second-hand,’ Anna said.
‘Nice.’
They went up in the lift together, observed each other in the mirror.
‘You look tired,’ Sissela said.
‘Thanks,’ Anna said. ‘That’s just what I needed to hear.’
‘I’m sorry, it was well meant.’
Anna backed down.
‘Barely slept last night,’ she explained.
‘What? Again?’ Sissela said. ‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know.’
They got to their floor. Anna went into the toilets and took out her mobile. She’d had it turned off all night. She tapped in the pin code, sat down on the toilet seat and waited while the phone connected to the server. A text message from the server told her that she had seven new voicemails. She called.
Received yesterday at seventeen fifteen.
Anna heard him put down the phone.
Received yesterday at seventeen twenty-seven.
Another click.
Received yesterday at nineteen o-five.
‘Hi, it’s me. How did it end up like this? I just want to see you. Don’t you realise how much you hurt me? Okay, so you were led astray once, I can understand that. But four times? I believed in you, you fooled me.’
Received yesterday at nineteen twenty-one.
‘What’s my crime? Explain. What did I do wrong? The difference between you and me is that I don’t jump into bed with just anybody. It really means something to me. I lost my job because of you. What did you lose? Nothing. You can carry on living the high life in the suburbs as if nothing has happened.’
Received yesterday at nineteen fifty.
‘I think it’s ironic, I really do. You disassociating yourself from me. You! What happened to self-insight?’
Received yesterday at twenty-two o-nine.
‘Oh, how clever. To turn off your phone. You think you can get rid of me by not answering, do you really believe that? So you think I’m a problem? Don’t you realise how crazy that is? How back to front? You think I’m a problem? You’re about a hundred years old and not particularly attractive anyway.’
Received yesterday at twenty-three forty-five.
‘Sitting here reliving old memories. Listen. Jeez, you’d think you’d got a jellyfish up your cunt, you’re so wet. Listen. That’s all.’
Anna turned off her mobile. She didn’t want to have it on while she was at work. She went into the editorial office. Sissela was standing by her desk.
‘Your phone rang,’ she said. ‘I tried to answer, but whoever it was just hung up.’
‘Thank you.’
Sissela went over to layout and Anna immediately phoned down to reception.
‘Hi, Renée, it’s Anna. Can you hold all my calls. I’m going to be in a meeting and busy all day.’
‘Of course.’
‘Thank you.’
She hung up and then tried to call her mother.
34
‘Erik Månsson?’
‘Yes.’
Karlsson held out his ID card.
‘Police. I’d like a few words with you. Have you got a minute?’
Erik shifted his weight.
‘Of course,’ he said, hesitating. ‘What’s it concerning?’
‘I’ve had a visit from Anna Stenberg.’
‘Right,’ Erik sighed heavily.
‘You know who she is?’ Karlsson asked.
Erik put his hands sulkily on his hips.
‘Yes.’
‘She says that you’re harassing her.’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘I’m sure you heard. Are you perhaps of a different opinion?’
‘You could say that.’
‘Interesting,’ Karlsson said. ‘Could I come in so we can discuss it?’
Erik hesitated again, but had no reason to say no. He opened the door and took a step to the side.
‘Shall we sit in the kitchen?’ Karlsson suggested.
Erik nodded and led the way.
‘The name’s Karlsson, by the way.’
Erik gave an uninterested nod.
‘Everything okay?’ Karlsson asked.
‘How do you mean?’
‘You seem bothered.’
‘Well, it’s not very nice being accused of things like this.’
‘So, the
re’s no grounds for it?’
‘Absolutely none.’
‘So if we were to request a printout of your phone log, we wouldn’t find an unhealthy number of calls to her?’
‘We’re in a relationship. I don’t know whether she told you that? It’s not like we don’t know each other.’
‘I don’t think she actually used the word “relationship”,’ Karlsson said.
‘She didn’t?’ Erik sounded aggressive. ‘How come we’ve had sex together quite a few times then? She’s come to my flat. Does that count for nothing?’
‘And apparently you made a film as well?’ Karlsson added.
Erik didn’t answer.
‘Nice,’ Karlsson nodded to himself. ‘Considerate, manly.’
‘What do you want?’
‘I wanted to hear what you had to say. And to make sure that you leave Anna Stenberg alone in future. No visits, no sudden appearances, no phone calls, no text messages. No contact with her whatsoever. Agreed?’
‘I’ll contact who the fuck I like, and I have every right to do so.’
‘Yes, but Anna Stenberg is already married and not interested in your attention.’
Erik muttered something.
‘What did you say?’ Karlsson asked.
‘I said she should have thought of that before.’
‘Is that what you think? You feel that you’ve got some kind of an alliance?’
Erik stood up straight.
‘I want you to leave. I’ve tried to be patient, but this is too much.’
Karlsson nodded and got up. He went into the sitting room and stood by the window, clasped his hands comfortably behind his back.
‘Nice view,’ he said.
‘I want you to leave,’ Erik repeated.
Karlsson turned round and studied him, nodded in amusement.
‘If you contact Anna Stenberg again, in any way whatsoever, she’ll report you for stalking. And you will be charged and sentenced, I can assure you. If the video you made is distributed in any way, I personally will make sure that you are charged with blackmail.’
‘Blackmail?’
Karlsson went over to him.
‘Your purpose is to defame another person. And that is against the law. I agree that legislation can seem a bit unwieldy at times, but I promise you, when interpreted correctly, it’s very effective.’
He gave Erik a hard pat on the cheek.
‘Don’t know what you’re after,’ Karlsson said. ‘She’s old enough to be your mother.’
Erik’s eyes went black, his lips tightened.
‘You’ve been warned,’ Karlsson continued. ‘Now, be a sensible young man and lay off. Swallow the bitter pill and accept that she’s not interested.’
He whistled as he left the flat and went down the stairs. At the bottom he held the door open for an attractive older woman who was talking on her mobile phone. He saluted in jest and she smiled her thanks.
‘Protect, help, reprimand,’ Karlsson chanted.
35
It was Kathrine’s firm conviction that all people were basically the same. Even the wildest ideas were driven by a desire to belong. Everyone was steered by more or less the same compass.
Kathrine understood why Erik Månsson was fascinated by her daughter, his desperation at losing his job, his loneliness as a newcomer and outsider in a closed place like Helsingborg. His hurt feelings when Anna suddenly didn’t want to know him and refused to see him after several intense encounters.
Kathrine was going to talk to him. Get him to understand. Surely it must be possible.
When she got to the address, all her good intentions were stymied. She didn’t know the entry code. She rummaged around in her bag for her mobile and rang her daughter. The call went straight to voicemail, which meant her mobile was turned off. Kathrine tried her direct number at work instead.
‘Please hold the line while your call is transferred.’
The automated voice was replaced by the familiar voice of the receptionist.
‘Family Journal. You were trying to get hold of Anna Stenberg?’
‘Yes, hello. It’s Kathrine, Anna’s mother.’
‘Hi, Kathrine,’ Renée said. ‘How are you?’
‘Very well, thanks. And you?’
‘Fine, thanks. Listen, Anna’s in a meeting for the rest of the day. Shall I ask her to call you?’
A man came out of the door and Kathrine grabbed hold of it. The man saluted her.
‘Protect, help, reprimand,’ he chanted.
Kathrine smiled in answer.
‘No, it’s not important,’ she said, into the receiver. ‘Just let her know I called.’
‘Will do,’ Renée assured her. ‘Bye for now.’
‘Yes, goodbye.’
Kathrine stopped by the stairs, looked up at the name board and then took the lift to the top floor. She rang the bell and heard quick steps approaching. The door was pulled open in an almost aggressive manner. Erik Månsson looked surprised, but the surprise swiftly disappeared as his guard immediately went up.
He looked younger than Kathrine had imagined. Somehow not fully adult, despite his age. He was good-looking, no doubt about it, if a little stressed and bothered.
‘Hello. My name’s Kathrine Hansson. I’m Anna Stenberg’s mother.’
She held out her hand. He hesitated but then took it, as it would be far too rude not to.
‘I wanted to talk to you.’
Erik shifted his weight, stood up straight.
‘About what?’
‘My daughter. Can I come in?’
She gave a kind smile.
‘Anna doesn’t know that I’m here,’ she added.
Erik held open the door.
‘Thank you.’
She went in and he closed the door. She turned around and tussled with the uneasy feeling that she was making a mistake. She took off her coat and hung it up, put her handbag on the floor below it.
‘Is it okay if I keep my shoes on? They’re a bit difficult to take off.’
Erik grunted his agreement and went into the kitchen. Kathrine followed tentatively behind. She pointed at a chair, he gave a curt nod. She sat down. Erik crossed his arms and leaned back against the worktop.
‘So,’ Katherine started gingerly, when it became clear that he wasn’t going to help her with any small talk or charming questions. ‘Anna’s told me about what happened and how you met. To your mutual pleasure, I believe.’
She tried to read his response but was uncertain whether her words were having any impact.
‘But she also said that it’s all started to go a bit off the rails now,’ Kathrine carried on, opened out her hands. ‘I’ve only heard her version. So I wanted to hear yours.’
Erik scrutinised her.
‘So she sends her mum here, eh?’ he exclaimed. ‘She doesn’t dare tell her husband, but she cries on her mum’s shoulder. Mummy who’s always there to comfort her and put things into perspective. Mummy who promises to sort things out and talk some sense into the naughty boy.’
‘Anna doesn’t know that I’m here.’
‘I didn’t believe you the first time,’ he said. ‘And repeating the lie doesn’t make it any more convincing.’
‘It happens to be the truth.’
‘Okay,’ he said, and hopped up on to the worktop. ‘So you’re here of your own accord. That means that Anna’s told you my name and where I live. Did she give you the entry code as well?’
‘A man came out just as I wanted to get in.’
‘How handy.’
He’d gone from being aggressive to being facetious. Kathrine didn’t know if it was a step in the right direction.
‘Can’t you just say what the matter is?’ she asked. ‘Surely you can talk it through.’
‘It’s pretty hard to talk when she doesn’t answer my calls.’
‘Would you like me to talk to her?’
Erik laughed until it made him cough. Kathrine didn’t let it bother her
.
‘As my representative, you mean? Yes. That would be really good. Because you wouldn’t be at all biased in that situation.’
Kathrine straightened her back and changed her sitting position.
‘I am of course here for Anna’s sake. She said that you’d recorded a film.’
‘She did, did she?’
‘Without her knowing about it. Do you think that’s fair?’
He shrugged.
‘I haven’t done anything illegal.’
‘I don’t know whether it’s legal or not. I asked whether you thought it was fair?’
Erik looked over her shoulder.
‘I’ve got every right to document my daily life.’
‘Your daily life?’ Kathrine repeated.
He nodded.
‘So it’s something you do regularly?’ she asked. ‘Make that kind of film?’
‘I didn’t say that.’
Kathrine held up her hand.
‘Wait,’ she said. ‘Let’s start again. Is that okay?’
She gave him a questioning look, he flung out his arm with ironic generosity.
‘This is what I know about you,’ Kathrine started. ‘You met at the hotel in Mölle. You had sex. You met a couple of times later here in this flat, same activity. And from what I understand, you both enjoyed it.’
Erik made no comment.
‘And since then,’ Kathrine continued, ‘you’ve tried to contact Anna in different ways, even though she’s expressly asked you not to.’
She looked at him: not a twitch. Kathrine bobbed her head down between her shoulders and opened out her hands, a physical question mark.
‘Am I wrong?’ she asked.
Erik jumped down from the worktop, took a glass out of the cupboard, turned on the tap and felt the water with his finger. When he thought it was cold enough, he filled the glass. He drank half of it straight down before he answered.
‘Did she forget to tell you that I lost my job because of her? Something she felt forced to do so she wouldn’t need to tell her colleagues that she’d been unfaithful.’
‘She said she had nothing to do with it.’
‘She said that?’
He poured out the rest of the water and put the glass on the dish rack. He shook his head.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘Why argue?’ Kathrine asked. ‘It seems so unnecessary. Please stop. And if you don’t want to do it for Anna’s sake, then think of her daughter.’
