Summer Solstice.

Sanna was dreading the date. The red circled day approached. The mere thought of reliving it. The physical pain and the emotional torment. The turmoil that followed and the media circus that encapsulated her life for eight months. She was still being talked about.

Interest in her case had legal implications for courts around the world. She would no doubt get follow-up interview requests. Her life might never be the same - as one year previously.

How she longed to be anonymous once again.

Her birthday had occurred the day before Midsummers’ Eve celebrations. She also had endured six months of training for her new job. She now deserved to party. She was eager to enjoy also her own 22nd birthday and the festival with friends. It had been arranged well in advance and everyone had anticipated celebrating the long weekend.

Sanna met her friend Meena early on the outskirts of the city. They drove east to the region of Kamenlaakso to celebrate the Finnish holiday of Juhannus. The holiday was ranked only second to Christmas in terms of importance to the Finnish people. Everybody always made sure that they had their time off work booked. It was a time to relax and enjoy the break.

Meena was always prepared. Her fastidiousness to detail impressed Sanna at every turn. Especially during the trial, she was there for her. She passed notes to her every day reminding her to stay positive and believe in justice.

Meena had a plush four bed roomed cabin booked outside the town of Kotka for almost a year. She even had grocery deliveries made to the cabin in preparation for their arrival. But being true to form, she still had the car full of supplies. Sanna laughed heartily at her friends’ capacity to be overstocked. They chatted non-stop for the two hour drive as the countryside went by in a blur.

The winter and spring had been harsh. The ground, although free of snow and ice, was yielding. Meena had checked the weather for their three day sojourn and reported to Sanna that it was to be positively balmy in comparison to the previous few months. The humidity was already starting to build.

En route to the cabin, Meena told Sanna of whom they were sharing the cabin with. Two of her female work colleagues had already left that morning and were setting up the sauna. One of the other rooms was being occupied by a two former college friends of her sister. Meena knew them but hadn’t spoken to them since her sister’s graduation.

The other room was booked by one unknown man.

Meena had received an email informing her because she hadn’t packed the cabin, the space had to be filled. Meena asked for background on him, but none came back. Meena persisted, ringing the rental company.

The only information they could pass on was the surname attached to the booking – Korhonen. The most common name in Finland. It did not sit well with her.

They reached the cabin commune shortly after lunchtime. The air was fresh and clear. The sun was high in the sky and little pockets of white fluffy clouds lingered over the western hills. Their cottage was one of three along the edge of  the lake. Spruce trees already adorned the entrance to the cottage commune, welcoming them in.

The smell of the waterside pine needles wafted through Sanna’s nostrils. She gulped in two deep breaths and commented how much cleaner it was than the city. Meena agreed and they set about unpacking the car. Meeting her two workmates inside the cabin, hugs and air kisses were exchanged. Sanna had only heard of Elsa and Justiina, but now met them in the flesh for the first time. She knew that any friends of Meena were good enough to be trusted implicitly.

Justiina was Swedish and kindly insisted that they adorn the maypole. They all agreed that it sounded like a good idea. As they dressed it in bright colours, the two other girls arrived. Ida and Noora had introduced themselves via email over the past couple of weeks and more hugs and kisses were swapped around the tall structure.

More cars and vans arrived into the commune, unloading supplies and mainly beer. Six half drunk college boys wolf whistled at the sextet of pretty ladies. The theory of the most fertile time of the year might be tested later.

Retiring to their cabin, Ida suggested the idea of testing the sauna out. Elsa had set it up when they arrived and it was now ready. The sauna was large and filled with light brown native Finnish pine. A short pier led from the front door of the sauna direct to the lake.

Sanna grabbed a six pack of Olvi beer and met the other five girls in the sauna. Picking up the knife beside the stove, she sliced through the plastic around the tins and passed them around. They could hear the college boys noisily hoisting the Finnish flag out front, as 6pm neared. That would be in place until nine the following night, as per tradition.

One of them knocked on the door asking to come in, but Meena said no way. They would tease them until later.

No one noticed the six year old silver Volkswagen arrive.

As the beer and conversation flowed, the humid evening began to draw in. The sun was setting over the edge of the lake. Sanna made another beer run back into the cabin.

She noticed the spare room door closed. She inched forward on her toes and listened quietly outside the door. She heard movement and a sniffle.

Then a cough. A guttural sound. From the depths of the stomach.

The door flew open catching Sanna by surprise. She was pulled from her stance and flung onto the bed.

The room was entirely dark.

Landing on her face, she struggled for air. She was disorientated and tasted blood oozing from her mouth. She heard the door slam behind her.

She felt him tugging at her blue bikini bottoms. Then heard his zip unzipping.

Nestled in the front pocket of her bottoms was the stove knife.

Turning over, she drove it home.

Her police training bore fruit.