Chapter 16
Leftovers
It was close to three o’clock when Celia was leaving the schoolyard with her schoolbag over her shoulder. She heard the sound of steps running behind her and recognized them without turning her head. Beatrice wanted company.
She is bent on chatting. Fair enough. Maybe I need it right now. And she talks so much that I need not say much myself.
Celia sensed her smile and was the first one to call «hi» as her school mate caught up with her.
It had been a somewhat special day at school. The short talk with Christine was spinning around in her head. She still hadn’t looked up the poison. I’ll do it at home. There I can read it through in quiet.
After the long break – as the press release from the police had been read on all mobile phones – the shool principal knocked on all class doors in turn speaking to each class for five-to-ten minutes. She chose to do it this way instead of gathering all students and teachers in the auditorium. It made for better contact – and the students could more easily pose questions or say whatever was on their minds. She was open for all comments – however cutting short a couple of attempts at speculation. It was neither the time nor place for that. She underlined that the police was actively working to uncover what had happened.
The local high shoool was located not too far from the football club ground, and a considerable number of the students were soccer players. So many of them were affected. The pitch would be closed until further notice – the principal could not say for how long, but she reckoned at least for some days.
-Do you think it was her husband? She threw him out this spring. He was pissed. Beatrice lowered her voice for the last words – as to emphasize.
-How do you know that? Maybe it was him ... deciding to move out?
Celia had not intended to comment. But she felt a small sting inside her – a feeling she did not want to stay there.
There will be a lot of talk and speculations. And several will think like Beatrice, even though they may not say it as plainly.
-Everyone knows.
-Or someone else in our neighborhood. She quarreled with a lot of folks. She was like that.
She made a short break. -It’s scary to think about.
Celia briefly cast her eyes on her school mate. It did not look like Beatrice was too uncomfortable with the thought.
-She was the team leader of Mariam’s team, wasn’t she? She may have made one of the dads furious – maybe she did something to one of the girls – being very unfair, I mean.
Celia was about to comment that it would take something very special to plan killing Linda due to a conflict within the team, but this time she managed to let it rest.
-If it’s someone at the club, maybe they will have to close it all down – then we must find somewhere else to play football?
They reached the entrance to the terraced house street, where a small road started heading towards the hilltop. Beatrice crossed the street with a short run, then she turned waving a “bye” before starting up the hillside road, soon to disappear behind some dense shrubs.
Celia started walking inwards along the terraced house entrances – more slowly now. Strange ideas were whirling around in her head – creating different kinds of feelings in her body. Beatrice or no Beatrice – at least she was good at boosting brain activity.
It is fine. Beatrice is okay. Maybe it’s just as well that someone puts the thoughts into words.
Her concentration had made her eyes focus on the ground, so she did not notice the boy approaching her until he was close by. She almost made a small jump hearing his voice.
-Hi! You train with Peter, don’t you?
He met her eyes when she looked up.
He is not shy. We have passed each other on some occasions. Maybe said “hallo”. But I’m not even certain of his name.
-Dad is up in the house. Working with some papers, but I don’t know which. Mariam is with her dad.
Why does he tell me this? Is there something about me?
-Got the day off today. Police was here. But they did’t speak to me. They have left by now.
-I don’t know if we will stay, he continued after a couple of seconds. -I am at mom’s place every second week anyway.
-You are playing with Peter’s 16-years-side? She felt having to say something.
-Yeah. He started to train us after the summer break. Travelled with us to the cup – when we stayed overnight. Took a long time driving up there.
Celia did not manage to locate in her mind the place name he mentioned.
-But we beat them in the bronze final. His face lit up in a smile. -Peter is okay, he added.
He is just a child. But he’s got charm. I guess the fifteen-year-olds are having a glance at him.
-Bye-bye – I’m going down to the down-field-pitch and train with a mate. Celia was eyeing him for a few seconds as he moved away rather fast – training outfit and a small backpack, the exact size to contain a pair of soccer shoes and a ball.
Kelvin was sitting in front of his PC with his back turned against the door, when Celia popped her head in. From what she could see it looked more like a computer game than a web lecture.
-You are studying?
He turned around with a broad smile. -You know, siss - sarcasm will never suit you! But you see, I have to do something to sharpen my thoughts.
-Are you really going out with Christine tonight? She sensed that her voice got a little harsher than she intended.
-Aah – so it’s out in the gossip columns already. He smiled even broader.
-She called me. Wanted to talk about ... the cup. She is writing the story for the paper tomorrow ... Why? Since it was you breaking up with her.
-Well – I’m not quite sure of that. But why not? Even you sometimes have food from yesterday.
-What did you say?! This time there was a question mark as well as an exclamation mark.
-To take your ex out for dinner is like eating leftovers. Which may be absolutely delicious – especially if the food was great the day before.
Celia shook her head and went across the corridor into her own room. -My greetings to the food then! she said loudly as she was shutting the door.
Kelvin is the best brother anyone could ask for. I need him. But he takes things so lightly. Or is it me – being too serious?
He needs me too. I have to look after him.
Chapter 17
Short notice meeting of the main board
-I contacted the local football association after the press release from the police and took the liberty to ask them to postpone all our scheduled matches for the coming week. I considered that to be the most ... He contemplated his choice of words. -... descent. I hope you agree and that we make that a formal decision.
It was Monday afternoon, and Philip had summoned the club’s main board for a meeting on short notice.
-I take it that all of us support that. Johnny was the one to respond. -The pitch is anyway closed for now – as you know they have also blocked the entrances to the cafeteria and the locker rooms. The woman from the police – who seems to be in charge of this case – hinted a few days. They will unblock the area as soon as they are done with looking into things here.
-So we move all training sessions to the down-field-pitch in the meantime – we can solve that easy enough, he continued.
-Do they think she got it into her from the cafeteria? Emma knew this was hardly a board issue. But she had to say it out loudly – put into words what everyone was thinking.
-They seemed to assume that yesterday morning. Sonia chose to answer. She was actually not a member of the board, but Philip brought her into this meeting – she had been in the center of matters at the incidents during the cup.
-I’m pretty sure she was not in the cafeteria while I was behind the counter. But I left as one of the volunteer parents came and started his watch – I guess that was about a quarter of an hour before ... it happened. Philip suddently looked straight at Emma. -I know you take responsibility for the cafeteria, Emma – maybe more than anyone has the right to expect. But for God’s sake do not start blaming yourself in any thinkable way. And for the time being we do not know anything either.
-I do not. It was a swift reply from Emma. -I came in just before you left, Philip. In company with Laura. But I made a cleaning-up round first, and then I went to the storage room for a while for some counting and resupplies. So I did not notice Linda either.
Johnny sensed a little smile inside his mouth, but he was keen not to let it manifest itself. What Emma named the storage room, was strictly speaking just a small closet beyond the counter – with a small table and a few shelves. Plus a narrow – and close-to invisible – door leading to a stony staircase shortcutting down to the senior women’s home team locker room.
This is her thing. Her domain. She is fantastic.
-Back to our meeting. Should we issue a statement – as a club?
They were quiet for a few seconds – none of them had experienced such a situation before.
-Is it really a club matter? And will we not be interfering with the work of the police?
A relief hearing his calm voice, Sonia reflected. And Johnny is right. -I’m uncertain as well, she said out loud. -I spoke to Christine at the local newspaper this morning. She is covering the case in tomorrow’s paper. And I’m absolutely certain her approach will be reasonable.
-Then we leave it for the time being. Philip let his eyes move across each one present – there was no attempt at any head shaking. -Maybe later.
-I thought about the money.
Everyone in the room turned their head in the direction of the frail voice from the innermost office corner. The club’s main bookkeeper was a somewhat timid looking and displaced semi-retired man – a chap no one knew was present until he managed to raise his voice. But he had absolute control of the money. Johnny used to say that he was able to recite from memory all the club’s profit and loss figures for at least the last twenty years. -As I understand they did not get so much playing time. So maybe we should repay ... at least some portion of the cup entry fee?
-You have to pay it all back. It came without hesitation from Emma. -Any other option will be inproper.
There were no objections to this statement either.
-Finally – there will of course be a funeral – even though it may take some longer than usual the way it is. This time Philip chose to look straight at Sonia. She met his eyes.
He is more shaky than he appears to be. Not so strange – this is a terrible thing for the club. But he is looking for answers. For help. From me? --- he did it on the cup day as well.
-Some similar action here. Sonia could see that he appreciated her follow-up. -A wreath or bouquet of nice flowers – I think that’ll be the right way of showing our respect. Nothing more.
Emma took Sonia’s suggestion as a decision. -I know the woman in charge of the florist shop down the street. I will see to it.
-Thanks to all of you for coming. I will keep you updated. Philip rose and went towards the exit door.
Chapter 18
The overnight cup
-I’m going to lead you through the main exercise today.
Celia took a thorough look across the group of players – the girls were sitting in a semi circle in front of her. Peter had taught her to make sure to catch each player’s eyes when they assembled at the start of a training session. -In that way they feel being noticed. And you’re in control of whatever they are up to.
Now he had withdrawn some yards to the left of and behind Celia.
Do they look at me or do they look at him? – when I let my eye contact go?
He’s placing increasingly more responsibility on me. I must not disappoint him. He has to see that they listen to me when I speak to them. That they understand what I say. That I can coach them.
-We are going to work with small group plays where one side outnumbers the other one. I can see there are fifteen of you here today – that fits nicely, we will then have groups of five drilling three-against-two situations. It’s an exercise challenging your creativity – you have to be creative – but you must also follow a set of common rules.
-Should you say something about the ... situation, Peter?
-You can do it.
-There will be no match this week. And we are going to stay here at the down-field-pitch for training. I hope we will be back at the club pitch next week. But we don’t know for sure.
The down-field-pitch was situated close-to a mile from the club ground – between a fairly high-traffic street and some medium sized apartment buildings. Celia did not know whether it was owned by the club, but she had always conceived it as a spare pitch or additional pitch for them. There were no locker rooms here og neither any toilet facilities, so a number of fast visits to the local gas station further down the street could not be avoided.
Some light rain set in as the session was coming to a close one hour and a half later. Celia sensed a good feeling inside – better than she had known for a while.
It worked out fine today. They liked the exercise. They listened to me.
Peter made the round-up, and the rainfall made sure that the subsequent chattering and smalltalk was rather short-lived. As the girls were moving away, he came up close to her – Celia had herself picked up her backpack and was ready to leave.
-I have another session with the boys in a few minutes – well, I suppose you know. But I want to ask you something.
Celia said nothing, but she looked up at him – he’s not that much taller than me? – and waited for him to continue.
-You finished your first coaching course last autumn. But that one focused mainly on children’s football. We are having the next course now in November. Two rather packed weekends. A lot about youth football. I want you to take part.
Why does he ask me about this here and now? In the middle of the rainfall?
-I will be there as an instructor. But there is a professional one from outside as well – I’m not quite fully authorized yet myself.
Peter smiled, and Celia perceived that he tried to establish eye contact.
He is good at that.
-You have exceptional good contact with your players, Celia. You are doing great work.
I’m not blushing. That’s just my imagination. And by the way it’s not possible to see someone blushing when it is raining.
-Terrible with Linda.
The change of topic and tone of voice made it Celia’s turn to stare straight into Peter’s face. And she noticed him looking somewhat away.
-It happens that you get to know things you were not ... meant to know.
The charm and the usual intensity of his voice was gone. Is he talking to me?
-What do you mean? It came tentatively from Celia.
Peter reacted to her soft question by shaking his head vigorously - then he looked at her again.
-Excuse me. Just a wild thought. I cannot understand that anyone wanted to do away with her. It must have been an accident – something which turned out terribly wrong.
Celia kept quiet. There was an increasing rainfall, and she felt some droplets starting to trickle from her ponytailed hair onto her neck and shoulders. But he was not finished.
-I did not know her very well. But I spoke rather a lot with her at our overnight cup. Earlier this autumn. It seemed to me that she was someone ... caring. You could talk to her about things.
-I hope he will not quit our team. The stepson, I mean, he added as he saw the tiny frowning of Celia’s forehead.
-He was not quite that yet, was he?
I did not need to say that – I perfectly understood what he meant.
-Well, yes – anyway, he is a brilliant player. Speeding his faints like a professional. But maybe they'll keep staying here?
His broad smile suddenly lit up his face. -Wonderful session, Celia. And remember the course! See you.
She remained standing still looking after him as he turned and started walking towards the other half of the pitch, on which the sixteen-year-old boys were about to get together.
It is not true, Tanya. There is nothing with the two of you ... between you. You don’t even know yourself. And you would have known. He’s not like that.
Chapter 19
Unannounced Spanish test
Celia glanced up at the circle shaped clock hanging on the floor straight above the door. Five to three. Meaning that she had spent almost all available time for the test. She was finished now. She wasn’t sure of absolutely everything, but she was unable to make it any further. After reviewing her answers three times.
I wish to do well in Spanish. It’s one of my favourite subjects. I got my mind being good at it.
It was after coming in from the long break that their Spanish language teacher entered the classroom and told that there would be a test for the rest of the day. Occupying the two consecutive Spanish classes normally following the break on Wednesdays – in addition their scheduled math session at the end of the day would be dropped. They were to switch that one back on a later occasion.
-The test you’re going to have today is approaching the level you’ll encounter at your exam, even if we still have some months until then. It is a tough one, so don’t despair if you’re stuck at times. Just try your best.
Celia could see some lightly distressed eyes when looking around. And she was not overly thrilled herself either.
Unannounced test. I like being prepared. And so much has happened lately. I doubt if I can put my thoughts together properly – at the moment. And show what I’m capable of.
Why did she have to give us this test today? – things being as they are.
But that’s the story of my life. And surely of others as well? I’m never prepared – the way I wish to be. Things just fall down, then I pick them up and try to do something about them – if I’m able to.
Oh hallo – so I’ve turned into a philosopher now? Spanish. Well – why not? I’ll rent a high pillar in Spain and stay there as a hermit for the rest of my life. I can get the village people to hoist some fruit and apple juice a couple of times a day – then I return the favour by declaring some words of wisdom every night at sunset.
Possibly too cold during winter time. Brazil then? – They don’t speak Spanish in Brazil! My knowledge of geography. Okay – I’ll settle for Argentina.
Here comes the test. I can handle getting my thoughts straight. I can concentrate if I really want to.
When Celia went down the corridor from the classroom to the school yard, she nonetheless walked with a fairly good feeling inside. It didn’t turn out too bad after all. Most of it got right. And written rather well.
Beatrice had left already half an hour earlier – looking rather dissatisfied. Tanya accompanied her – she seemed somewhat more unaffected.
But I don’t care how things turn out for Tanya.
So Celia left the school yard on her own today. She turned right as she glimpsed the small lake some distance away. The way home was not too long.
A call sound from the mobile. It’s in the school bag. They had to put the cell phones away at the start of the test. But Celia acted quickly and managed to take the call before the ringtone gave up getting to her.
Non-listed number. Fraud call? Someone kidding?
-Hi – my name is Mai. She went on telling her surname – Vietnamese, Ceila thought. -I’m calling from the police. You are Celia?
She confirmed her first name as well as her family name.
-This is a little special. If you want, I can call you later. But I assumed that you had finished shool for today. And, she added, -if you feel like checking up that I am who I say to be, you are of course free to do that.
She speaks without hesitation. Clearly and straightforward. She is used to people respecting her.
-That’s okay. I’m on my way home – alone. Celia sensed the heart beats speeding up a little behind her chestbone. Why does the police call me?
-There is a person who has recommended me to talk to you. As you have probably figured out already it has to do with the death during the soccer tournament. You were the referee at a match being played close to where she fell, isn’t that right? And you ran along to fetch the father of her daughter?
A couple of confirming words from Celia. There was a moment of silence – it seemed like the police woman wanted to give her an opportunity to go on telling. Celia did not do that.
-I want to ask you to tell me what happeded - as exact and detailed as you remember – from the moment you discovered Linda till you returned with her husband – the way you experienced it.
Celia took her time to think. Then the whole story was told – there were no problems remembering, the minutes from Saturday still existed like a living short film in her head.
Mai made no attempt at interrupting her. -How long time do you think it took from first spotting her until you came back? she asked after a short break when Celia had finished her tale.
-Three minutes? No more than five.
-Did you see who were around her – or rather close to her?
This one was a little harder. -I’m sure she went largely on her own when she ... fell. I’m sorry – I’m not able to figure out in my head who was the closest to her then. But afterwards, when we came back – yes, Johnny, the one in charge of the pitch, was there. And one of the coaches from the match I refereed, was sitting beside her, I think. Sonia was nearby, but she did not quite come up to ... the others. The woman from the cafeteria - Emma, is that her name? - was she there? --- I remember seeing her, but that was perhaps some time later.
-You see, she added after a short break, -I could not take watching for long what was going on ... with Linda.
-It’s fine, Celia – that is very good. But now I want you to think carefully. Did she carry anything – something like a cup of coffee – when she tumbled and fell?
Celia did what she was told. She spent the required time to rewind and forward the Saturday film until hitting the right scene and freezing the picture. -I don’t think so, she said noticing that she was slowing shooking her own head. -Or … I’m sure she didn’t.
But I do have another image in my head as well. Linda with a cup of coffee. I am quite sure of that.
-Excuse me if I express myself a little silly. Celia started over. -But at the same time I can in a way see another picture ... Linda and a coffee cup. I cannot tell you where or when – I’m sorry.
-I’s fine that you tell me anyway. It may be important.
-I have a final question. Did you see her coming out from the cafeteria?
She had reached the entrance to the terraced house street. She could see Linda’s house slightly up to her right side. It was completely quiet there now. No Mariam. No dad. No sixteen-year-old with a dad.
-I thought she did. Took it for granted, I think. But ... I did not actually see her coming out of the cafeteria door. And ... Celia paused – how should I say this? -I remember thinking afterwards that it took a long time before Mariam came out.
Now I’m making a fool of myself. It is stupid of me to express my opinion. To the police. I’m supposed to tell what I saw.
-I had the same thought myself.
Celia looked down at her phone. Non-listed number – still there. The feedback – and expressing her view – came as a surpise.
-Thanks for talking to me, Celia. You cannot see the number I’m calling from right now, but I want you to call this number if there is anything else you should think of telling me.
Celia swiftly stored the phone number which the police woman went on to read to her.
-Mai …
She reached out to me with her own opinion. Otherwise I would not have dared to ask.
-I read about the poison. Can you tell me – what time did it take from she got it into her until she ... fell?
Mai did not seem surprised that Celia knew about the poison, even though this was not a fact expressed at the police briefings.
-It is a bit difficult. She may have consumed it several minutes earlier. But she should have noticed some symptoms fairly soon – then carrying them with her. And once it becomes ... fatal, it happens all of a sudden – and looks like an acute poisoning.
Celia stopped in front of her home entrance as the police woman hang up. She kept standing for a while looking straight into the air. The Spanish test was gone. The hermit was gone.
So they do not think that she had been in the cafeteria.
She was torn out of her contemplation by a knock on the pane and a broad Kelvin smile coming across through the close-by window.
Chapter 20
The cash box in the women’s locker room
She was about to take the first steps up the stairs to the front side of the club house, where the entrance to the small office was located. There was an absolute stillness at the club ground. Nothing else was to be expected before noon on a Sunday. And since most people reckoned the pitch still to be closed, neither were there any youngsters feeling fresh and active in the morning – of which there are in any case very few ones, Sonia thought – having come over here for some training and free play of their own.
The police had called her late last afternoon. Not the police woman this time – even she probably needed some time off now and then – it was a man’s voice Sonia did not recognize. The investigations at the club house and the pitch were finished, at least for now. So they had brought the containment of the ground to an end and removed all barriers. She called both Philip and Johnny when she got the news. Johnny was already aware of the fact.
I’m not the least surprised about that. I think he is monitoring the pitch and the club house nearly all the time. He is breathing for this place and what goes on here. We would not have managed to do all of this for our kids if it were not for Johnny – or folks like him.
She planned to make a small summary of the cup – and the cup activities. Which teams having completed at least some match. Which ones that never got on to start their first one. Mostly for her own sake – after all she had been the cup manager. But she also needed to make a list for the accountant, who was to repay the teams. All cup information was stored on the local office PC. She knew that the police went through it and probably copied the contents already the next day – they asked for her user name and password during their conversation – the questioning? – last Sunday morning.
Of course it could wait. But she had time available now – the breakfast was finished and Armin was at home with Sara.
There is something else as well.
I want to walk around here a little. Looking around. And thinking. The uncertainty inside. Like gnawing on my chest. Something I know. Have seen. Or should know. If it was one of us ...
No. I know nothing. It cannot be one of us. Why shoud it be? – it was teeming with people here last Saturday.
A sound made her head turn. Like someone knocking on something. It came from the corner at the opposite end of the house. The entrances to the two senior locker rooms were to be found here – they were both located on the ground floor by the club square below the cafeteria and the youth teams’ locker rooms facing the pitch itself. They had opted not to use these senior team facilities during the cup, thereby keeping all activities on the pitch side of the house. Better control that way.
So she was not alone up here after all.
Sonia decided to have a look. She walked along the lower house wall and up to the far corner. The door leading to the women’s senior locker room was open. A woman was standing a few yards into the corridor with her back to the door. She was about to bring down – or up? – a medium sized box from the upper shelf of an old locker. Another knocking sound as the box hit the locker door.
-Good morning!
A sudden cry of surprise as the body inside the locker room turned abruptly, and even though the light was not turned on in the corridor, Sonia could easily see the startled look in Laura’s face. The metal box was about to fall to the floor, and its lid crackingly opened as Laura managed to save it with a swift movement of both arms.
Sonia did not know Laura well, but knew who she was.
-You scared me – I thought ... I was ... on my own. The words came a little haltingly from Laura, before she pulled herself together and produced a tiny smile.
-I had no intention of doing that. I just heard a sound and wanted to check – I guess it was the box?
They both looked down at the open metal box which Laura by now was holding firmly with both hands. The contents was a mix of papers, banknotes – of various values, Sonia noted – and something jingling – coins, earrings, necklaces?
-I had to check if it was in the team cash box.
She made no further attempt at explaining which item or items she was looking for.
-That’s all right. Then I wish you a continued nice Sunday. Sonia turned around in order to walk back to the club stairs.
Even if most payments are carried out using phones or computers, there is still some use of old-fashioned money around. Sonia was well aware of this – it was especially so for the local team accounts.
But why so early on a Sunday? Was she looking for something – and what? She has been playing for the senior team for many years, but she quit as an active player quite a while back. Coaching some younger teams now.
-Hi, Sonia!
She hadn’t noticed Celia coming lightly jogging across the square. Her face immediately lit up with a huge smile. It was genuine.
I like this girl. -You are around early this Sunday as well.
Exactly one week had passed since they met and talked up on the path sitting on the big-stone.
-I like it. I do «the round». Celia stopped. -But my brother’s asleep, she added – almost giving way to a tiny laugh. -University student.
-It was not in the box.
The words came from Laura as she was closing the entrance to the locker room. -Oh, hi Celia, she went on as she spotted that Sonia was not alone. Celia cast a somewhat surprised glance at her and responded with an equal «hi».
Laura paused for a brief moment viewing both of them as she was about to walk past.
She has her mind on telling us some more. But she does not know what to say.
-I have to hurry. See you at training.
Sonia stood for a few seconds looking after her before saying goodbye to Celia. Then she started to walk slowly across the square towards the stairs – up along which Laura was by now half running.
