CHAPTER 5

Put on your glitter suit, for we are off troll hunting

In the hallway past the bathroom just before the bedroom you find a door to a closet. Normal people would have used it to stow their cleaning things, but on Beckasin road you use it for more uncommon gear and objects. While Elfvie stood with her head down a chest I was trying out sequin jackets. Trolls love glitter. Everything that sparkles, shines, shimmer or twinkles get them out of bounds. They twist their plump hands, bite their lips and grimace until they cannot fight back their craving and then throws themselves over what has attracted their eye.

I found a jacket that fitted me well. It was a bit tight over my shoulders but I liked it. I stood before the mirror and studied myself from head to toe. I spun and looked at my reflection. The jacket was certainly shimmering. I approached the glass and stared at my face. With my fingers I pulled up my eyes, pressed my nose and dragged the corners of my mouth to create the most horrible faces. I could not stop. One grimace after another confirmed my ugliness. My face started to turn red when suddenly Elfvies mirror image appeared behind me. “What are you up to”, she asked in a harsh voice? Nothing I said, but it was too late. Elfvies ice blue eyes narrowed, the nose wrinkled and her chin went from cuddly round to pointy. Her face twisted and soon she looked like one of the devil statues of St Petri Church. I stood there with my mouth wide open, but the jangle from my jacket revealed my fear. Elfvies face went into a sad clown before her face restored to normal. The room went calm and she smiled behind her glasses. My throat hurt and I swallowed the tears. “Go and wash your face”, she said.

Elfvies bathroom reminds you of the hallway. The ceramic tiles are green as moss and goes all over the floor and the walls.  Along the wall to the right stands a huge bathtub. The tub is in some way tiled into the wall and has no feet. On the floor you will slip on a furry bath mat that also has the colour green. Across from the tub you find an ancient basin and above it a cabinet with a rusty mirror. The cabinet is almost empty except from a toothbrush and a few patches. On a shelf above the tub are diverse decorative items and bath treats. Dolls with big crocheted skirts are also standing on the shelf. Lift their skirts and you will see that they are hiding something as ordinary as toilet rolls.

I turned on the tap and splashed my face with cold water and then rested my head in the guest towel. It’s sweet scent of lavender made me sleepy. I felt a sad anger that was directed at myself. As if two persons, one white and one black, fought against each other but in the same body. I did not know whom I ought to cheer on. Should I cheer on the black person that is punching the white person or would I be better off by encouraging the white person lying down trying to get back on it’s feet? A damped knocking on the door woke me up from my lavender coma. If not the bathroom door had been padded with jungle fabric the knocking would have scared me to hiccup. I unlocked the door and sneaked out into the hall.

Elfvie took up her head from the depths of the coffin. “I found it”, she said. She stood up looking at me. “Have you taken a nap”, she asked? But, without waiting for an answer she continued with excitement. “It is late and it’s time for hide and seek”.  She gave me a quick pat on the head and then opened my hands. From a velvet bag she poured small beans dipped in silver. She laughed raspy with eagerness. The beans can be used as bait if your sequin jacket is not enough of attraction, Elfvie said. She also gave me a clothespin to keep hold of the troll. When the troll puts it hands on the bean the bean is the only thing it cares about. The troll will hang on to that little bean as if it were life itself.

Polo stood by the patio door ready to take a stroll under the streetlights. Elfvie had taken on a sequin vest and hung a small bell on the dog’s collar. “We go together at first”, she whispered. The other trolls on the table reached after us. Our shimmering armour dazzled them. We were ready. In line stood I, Elfvie, Polo, one white -and one black person. Elfvie opened the glass door to the garden and we all stepped out into the night.