- Kilpi, Hurskainen, Puppendorf, Kärpänen, Möttönen, Virtanen, Pesto- Gouda, Korhonen... Bertta Sydänmaa reads the nameboard and can't find what she's looking for.
- Can I help you? Maire Hurskainen says to foreign looking face in their stairway staring at the nameboard.
- I'm looking for my grandson's place.
– I know everyone who lives here. What's his name?
– Ilari Sydänmaa.
- Haven't heard that name here before. Ah, he must be the one without nametag on his door, ms. Hurskainen says knowingly. - Man with a big dog.
– That sounds exactly like him. Playing his hiding game still, I see. Soldiers don't like to announce their whereabouts.
- A Soldier? Ms. Hurskainen is thrilled. More information about residents of this house.
- My grandson is an officer in Finnish army. They are probably going to promote him to captain soon. She says proudly.
– An high ranking officer? In our house?Well, that was a new thing. My oh my. Pardon my manners, I'm Maire Hurskainen, head of board of this House association.
– Pleased to meet you. Bertta Sydänmaa.
Two ladies continue their conversation for some time and when Ilari finally arrives, the two seem to be in good terms.
– Good day, mr Sydänmaa, ms Hurskainen greets his neighbor in newfound appreciation. Ilari nods to her and curses in his mind. Howcome granmother is already here? And why she's leaking it all to that nosy hag. Bertta has clearly been talking. So long for anonymity in this house.
- It's good to see you dear! Bertta hugs his grandson.
– You too, Ilari greets her. After all, granny played part of his mother for years whereas his own couldn't do that. Granparents home was the only place Ilari could feel like he belong. Though he wasn't able to realize and say it aloud back then. It probably wasn't easy to look after troubled teenagers who was all shout, temper and rebellion.
– You look good, he says to Bertta.
– Well, I get to see my loved grandson. Makes me happy. It's been so long! They hug for a long time. - I made you something as a housewarming present. Bertta hands him a woven rug.
- Thanks. I really like the colours.
- So this is it? She says and looks around Ilari’s flat.
– This is it, Ilari shrugs. – Bit different from the house we had with Virpi.
– It's small, Bertta agrees. – But nicer looking I’d thought. It looks like you. You have done more than I thought!
– I didn't know whether to stay here at first.
- But you have decided to stay?
- Mm, Yeah. It's close to work. Easy to get there.
- And you have such nice neighbors!
-Err… Ilari stiffens for a moment and realized Bertta was talking about ms Hurskainen not Venla. Then he realized Lucky is missing. Venla probably took him to her side.
– Right. How much you told her?
– That you are still playing hide and seek like soldiers tend to do. And you're going to Be promoted soon, aren't you?
– Oh crap.
– Ilari!
– Well you don't know it, don't you. It takes longer than usual so I probably did something and stepped into someone's toes.
– You have tendency to do that, Bertta shrugs. – Well. What it takes to get a good cup of coffee here?
-So here you are! Ilari talks to Lucky but looks at Venla. His eyes are smiling.
– He was whining so desperately when he realized I'm about to leave I couldn't leave him behind, Venla explains.
– So you’re not completely unyielding for stubborn male pleas, Ilari notices and scratch Lucky's ears.
– Looks like that's the case, Venla smiles back at him. Ilari stands up and reaches for Venla.
– Hey beautiful.
– Hey you, Venla touches his chest and familiar butterflys start their flight in her stomach.
- Can't stay. My granny is already here and I really need to - - No. I want to spend some time with her. Venla smiles and shakes her head.
– No need to explain. She's important to you, Venla gently caresses base of his neck. – I'm still here after she leaves.
Ilari looks surprised. He was ready for an argument and to explain to the core what his granmother meant to him. Venla certainly isn't like Virpi was.
– You are the best! Ilari flashes thankful smile and steals a quick kiss. – You can bet I'm coming for you when she is ready to leave!
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