Crime Novella Episode Three

by Hugh Todd

Slaninka was losing interest in her ballet lesson. It was all so prissy.

“I think it might be time for a cool drink,” said her teacher, tiring herself of this listless child.

At this Slaninka ran and catapulted into a series of flips, ending at the door of the refreshment room with an astonishing twist that allowed her to land facing the teacher, back arched, head back and hands held high in a triumphant Y.

“I can see where your predilections lie,” said the teacher, picking up her towel from the bar and wiping her face and neck. “We might have to make other arrangements.”

Unabashed, Slaningka eyed the teacher. “It doesn’t mean I don’t like you,” she said. “In fact, you’re much better company than Suelen. All she thinks about is how good she looks and whether there are any men she can get to kiss her.”

The teacher turned from the door of the fridge to face the girl. “Listen,” she said. “People come to Cairo for all sorts of reasons. I came to ... well, never mind. Here I am. I’ve been here for years now, and I’ve seen people come and go.”

She wondered how to put things without alarming the child.

“Slaningka, do you think you could find your way here on your own?”

The child seemed to know what she was asking.

“It’s not that,” said Slaningka. “I think I could. But the boys are really rude, and pinch and slap you.”

“But you can handle yourself all right?”

“I think so. I can always use my gym skills.”

The teacher marvelled at the self-containment of the girl. “Just watch where you put your hands if you do.” She didn’t want to frighten her.

Slaningka looked at her hands, made a face and laughed. They both laughed, then the teacher grew serious again and touched Slaningka’s shoulder.

“If you ever need somewhere to go, make your way here. Just tell the concierge that you’ve come to see Sophie, and she’ll let you in.”

They sat and drank in silence. Sophie gazed around the dance floor. The silver on the back of the mirrors was blotched and blackening in the corners. The paint on the walls looked tired. Truth be told, she had lost interest long ago in teaching ballet to the children of overpaid foreigners. She would have abandoned it long ago if it had not allowed her to engage in other pursuits.

“Sophie.” The girl’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“Sophie, I don’t like that man.”

Sophie felt a thrill. She liked this child a lot. So perceptive. So like herself.

“The man who came with your guardian?”

Who would entrust a child to such a woman? Some people could sniff trouble on the wind, not so as to avoid it but to make a beeline for it. Suelen was such a person. Definitely not child-minding material. Not that she’d be unkind to the child. Not directly. But her attention would be divided, and she could end up in some very sticky situations. Especially with a man like Reese.

“You know him, don’t you?”

Right on the money. Sophie was beginning to feel less in need of protecting Slaningka and more as though she’d like her as an ally.

“You noticed?”

“When Suelen came to drop me off. You looked outside and saw him, and you did this.” Slaningka clenched her jaw, frowning, and drew her head back.

“How rude of me.”

“I didn’t mind.”

“I meant to Suelen.”

“Oh, don’t worry. She doesn’t notice things.”

“But you do.”

“I noticed that you looked a bit sad when they left.”

Sophie stood up abruptly and marched over to the window, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Just promise me, Slaningka, if you ever need a place to go, that you’ll come here. Not the hotel, not the police. Even if I’m not here, you can use the fridge, sleep in the camp bed. OK?”

“OK.” Slaningka too jumped up and cartwheeled lazily around the dance floor. “I could practise my moves.”

“And I,” thought Sophie, “I’d better practise mine.”