Language of Love

Chapter 52 - Finland

Nazares, Portugal, hadn't disappointed the keen surfers. Corey O had joined them and the 5 lifeguards had taken on the huge waves and practised their jetski skills. Abi had stuck to the shore, the waves far beyond her skills. She'd spent a week sunbathing, sipping cocktails, reading and improving her Portuguese. She couldn't quite believe she was being paid for this.

And then they moved on to Finland.
The welcome they received from the Finnish when they arrived was warm and boisterous. There was lots of mocking of the Australians struggling with the colder climate. They were driven to a lifeguard centre and met with hostel like accommodation with bunk beds. Troy sulked briefly at the accommodation but was quickly wrestling Maxi for a top bunk. Abi dumped her suitcase on a lower bunk and joined Corey and Reidy as they explored the communal kitchen and social areas before finding some of the Finnish lifeguards outside, sat at a picnic bench, and sharing a beer.

Abi found herself quickly adopted by the gregarious Finnish group of lifeguards. She wasn't really needed to translate as their English was perfect, but once they realised she had only been learning Finnish for a short time and was already able to hold conversations they often spoke with her in their native language and ribbed her over her mispronounciations.

When the guys were told they were going to be doing helicopter retrieval training Abi mocked them for having to endure the cold sea. That was until Tommy, a Finnish lifeguard, appeared with a mischievious grin and a wetsuit for her as well. Troy shared his grin and Abi knew he was a co-collaborater.
"I will get you back for this." She warned as she disappeared off to change.
Tommy's laughter followed after her. "She's feisty, your beautiful girl." She heard him comment to Troy.

Out in the boat, the wind felt cold, even with the insulated wetsuit on. Abi watched the expressions on the others' faces as they jumped into the water and felt how truly cold it was. Then it was her turn. Not to be outdone, she dived in and rose to the surface spluttering from the cold shock of the water. Hoppo and Troy were floating nearby, protective as ever.
"Fucking freezing." She said, her teeth already chattering.
Troy grinned back at her but didn't look any warmer.

The helicopter hovered overhead and Hoppo insisted she be lifted first. Clipped into the harness with an operator she was lifted out of the water and up towards the waiting helicopter. Abi couldn't help but let out a whoop of excitement as she rose higher.
"This is awesome!" She shouted.
The operator laughed at her and helped her scramble on board, clipping her safely inside before heading back down.
Reidy joined her next, then Corey. Troy arrived 3rd, looking pale and shaken as he rolled into the helicopter and closed his eyes.
"I hate heights." He groaned as Abi sympathetically patted his knee.

Maxi arrived, grinning from ear to ear and high fiving her as he settled beside her. Hoppo was winched up last and looked almost green.
"Not a fan of heights?" Abi shouted over the noise of the helicopter blades. He simply leant his head back against the shell, eyes closed and flipped her off. Maxi cackled gleefully.

The helicopter landed back on the shoreline and the lifeguards bundled out to where the Finnish guards waited at a safe distance. Tommy issued them all high fives as they passed him on their way to the jeeps.

Later that afternoon they were sat around the picnic table, beers in hand discussing the differences in Australian and Finnish lifeguarding. Abi noticed that Tommy had disappeared and that Reidy had his phone ready.
"What are you to up to now?" She asked, which made everyone round the table go quiet just as Tommy rounded the corner of the building in a dressing gown and flippers and holding a life buoy.

* (See Reidys YouTube channel for the real life inspo). *

Abi didn't think she had ever laughed so hard, until Tommy pulled her from her seat, wrapped her in the flexible life buoy and pulled her close.
"This is how we rescue the beautiful ladies." He said, beaming down at her mischievously before releasing her. She returned quickly to her seat, heckled by Maxi and Troy as she returned. Then Tommy picked Troy as his next victim. Troy passed Abi his beer as he reluctantly joined Tommy, only to be wrapped in rope before being released and able to sheepishly return to his beer.

Their meal that night in the dining area was loud and raucous. The Finnish initiated a drinking game and the Australians gamely kept up. Troy soon pulled Abi from the chaos and led her outside. They sat on the picnic bench together, looking up at the incredible stars above them.
"Don't get anything like this in Bondi." Troy's voice was soft with awe as he pulled her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't think I've ever seen them this clearly." Abi agreed as she snuggled deeper into his arms.

They sat in comfortable silence until the light of a door opening drew their attention from the sky. A tipsy Maxi staggered out and waved at them exuberantly as he weaved closer. He went to sit on the bench, missed and sat heavily on the ground.
"Ouch." He muttered. "Why d'ya move it? N'sweet."
Troy sniggered. Abi rolled her eyes and offered Maxi a hand. He took it but pulled her down to the ground with him and wrapped her in a hug.
"Little help Troy!" She exclaimed, trying to untangle herself from her drunk friend.
Troy paused to take a photo then kicked Maxi gently in the side, prompting him to let go of Abi to rub his side. Abi quickly rolled out of his embrace and got to her feet.
"Ow! Gonz!" Maxi slurred. "Came to find ya and get that abuse!"
"Think you've had enough mate. Let's get ya to bed." Troy responded and hauled the younger lifeguard off the ground.

Abi opened the door to the dormitory as Hoppo appeared at the other open door.
"He alright, Gonz?"
"We've got him." Troy reassured his boss, making a grab for Maxi's arm when he nearly toppled over. Hoppo nodded and disappeared back inside.

By the time Troy had steered the stumbling Maxi into the dorm Abi had switched her things to the top bunk and put Maxi's things on the bottom bunk. She'd also found a bucket and was placing it beside the bunk. Troy rolled Maxi onto the bunk and helped him get his shoes off.
"Not my bed. It's Bambi's." Maxi protested.
"You're not sleeping in a top bunk tonight Maxi." Abi told him.
Maxi reluctantly lay down and was instantly asleep.