Valley of Light: The third book in the Saskia story

damages.

One

Saskia? Seen my denim skirt?

You were wearing it the last night when you changed to be ready for bed. Your skirt isn’t anywhere, you disappeared it.

Oh. That’s alright then. I’ll just - make it appear again. There.

I changed to be wearing what I’d been wearing last night. I didn’t want the top but it needed to reappear anyway. We did try to be normal girls, but it gets difficult when you can change shape and clothes at will and have super powers.

What’s on the agenda for today then?

Shopping. Fridge is empty. Need to look after Dad.

It had been nearly a year since Saskia had vowed to look after her dad and devote herself to making him happy at the shuttle launch in Florida. Rob remembered nothing of this, of course, but Saskia and I remembered all too well.

The year or so between had been kind to all of us, Saskia was now eighteen and I was coming up to my eighteenth birthday as well, although in my case this was an arbitrary date, precedent having been set when I turned seventeen, and now it was always the same day.

Rob seemed really happy as well. He looked on both of us as his daughters. I would always remember his words on the blanket in Florida, ‘Daughters plural - I like that’. He didn’t remember that but I did. He made me happy so as we said at the time - I would remember it for him!

"I will remember it for you."

Pardon? Hello? Earth calling Saskia? And you may answer.

Oh, sorry Saskia. I was miles away - in both time and space.

Did you just say what I thought you said?

Did I say it out loud? Sorry.

"No, don’t be silly. Don’t be sorry. I think those words as well you know."

I’m all grown up now so I’m not going to cry. Are we ready to carry out the Prime Directive?

Yes Captain!

Then make it so.

Err - no Starship Enterprise available, Captain. Will the bus do?

I sighed theatrically, I suppose so. What’s the world coming to.

"Well, I’m eighteen, how about teaching me to drive?"

"Saskia, you know we talked about this. If I show you how to drive it’ll have to be off the road. Then you won’t pass your test despite being able to drive as well as me. As soon as I can drive on the road we’ll be cooking on gas."

Hurry up and be eighteen then.

I know you’re in a rush, but just be patient.

Not helped by them raising the age limit to eighteen.

I knew what she meant, another month or so and we’d have been behind the wheel already.

"What’s the thing about driving anyway? We can fly for Heaven sake, I said. Who needs a car? I thought about it for a moment. Saskia Hunt! You’re jealous of Emma, aren’t you?"

"She’s been eighteen for ages. She’s already got a little car. Her dad got Dad to find her a nice one."

He’ll do the same for you as soon as we sort it out, you know that.

Yeah. You’re right. Jealousy ill becomes us. I’ll wait, I’m a good girl.

"You might think that....."

She thumped me - hard. I grinned. Her thump would probably have knocked down your average wall. Didn’t bother me. I didn’t even bother to say ‘owe’ for the look of the thing.

Come on. Let’s ride the Starship Bus. The Prime Directive beckons.

Got any money? No? Didn’t your dad leave any? I sighed, then changed to be holding money. Will this be enough?

We rode the bus into the town. On the way I told Saskia I wanted to call at the American Diner. Just to pass the time of day with Chloe.

And see Jim’s face when you tell him we still won’t join his counter dancers.

It was easier to call on Chloe first, without being loaded down with bags.

Hi, Saskias. How are you today?

Hi, Chloe. We’re fine. How’s the counter dancing business?

It’s up and down. She grinned. I’m glad you’ve dropped in, saved me a phone call. When’s your birthday, Saskia? Exactly, I mean?

Two weeks today. Why? You’ll not get us on your counter you know. We’ve retired.

No, no. Nothing like that. Do you remember Alex - and that hunky Marco?

Ye-ss. What’s going on this time?

Alex and Marco are involved in a West End production in London. Opening night is the Saturday of your birthday. They’ve invited you to go to the first performance on the Saturday afternoon.

"Not more dancing? What’s the production?"

Don’t worry, no participation required. It’s a brand new production so even you won’t be able to join in.

I thought ‘don’t be too sure of that, Chloe. Watch one run through and I could probably replace any of the cast’. I didn’t say that of course. Chloe didn’t know about our - abilities.

Got to ask the bill payers permission first but it should be ok. Can we get back to you? Oh, by the way, is it just us or can we take some of the girls?

As many as you like. I think they’d be pleased to see them again.

We escaped without running into Jim. He still tried to get us to dance on his counter again. It was easier to run away than explain we’d retired each time.

Saskia, how many of the girls are still here? I lose count.

"Only four out of the original eight. There’s Ellie Harrison, Emma, obviously, Sophie and Hailey. Tasha is about to go and live with that cousin she’s in love with. Nikki moved to Scotland with her parents. The other Ellie emigrated with her parents. Charlie moved to Newcastle with her mum after her parents split up. Only four left, plus us two."

That’s a shame. D’you think the remaining four would like to accompany us to celebrate my birthday?

I’d think so. Have to ask. You’re planning something - I know the signs.

What I’d really like to do is stay at that hotel we went to with James when he was knighted, and see Angelo again. I know Maria’s cancer is in remission but it’d be nice to see him again.

"Saskia, that is such a good idea! Mmm. Maybe we need to see James and see how much money we’ll need to do that?"

Yeah. Won’t come cheap. We’ll probably need to see how much we can get out of Voice’s piggy bank. Hope it’ll be enough.

Go see James this afternoon?

Why not. We can blag a go in his pool as usual.

Rob came home for lunch. We did beans on toast with some nice cream cakes we’d bought for afters.

Dad, we, that is to say Saskia really, have been invited to London to the opening night of a production that Alex and Marco are involved in. You remember? The Grease thing in Manchester?

How could I forget

We’d spend Saturday night in London. We need you to say yes. There’ll be about five or six of us.

Six of you lot? London won’t know what’s hit it. Yes, you can go - subject to a review of arrangements and itinerary once you’ve sorted it.

Saskia jumped up and gave him a hug and a kiss.

Thanks, Dad. We’re going to see James after lunch to get some information from him.

And use his pool or something, no doubt. Rob chuckled. You use his pool more than he does.

We flew to James and Lydia’s. We didn’t want to bother Rob and the buses weren’t handy. It was easier.

Jeeves answered the door. Good afternoon, Saskia and Saskia. Sir James is in the conservatory. Would you like your usual hot chocolate.

"Jeeves - you can read minds. I always said you could."

I will assume your answer to be in the affirmative. You will find your own way?

No problem. I’ve got the ball of string to pay out so we don’t get lost.

Jeeves turned away, but not before we saw the beginnings of a smile on his face.

We presented ourselves at the conservatory. Knock, knock.

Oh, hello, you two. Come on in. How’s the SuperTwins business?

Shh, James. Walls have ears. In answer to your question, much as usual. Nothing big at the moment.

James and Lydia were the only people who knew who we really were. They knew all about us - including that I was really Richie. We knew nobody could have heard James. If anybody had been able to, he wouldn’t have been able to ask the question.

I suppose you want to use the pool? Do you know, I think you use it more than we do.

That’s just what Dad said.

"James, please tell us if we’re doing anything you don’t like or if you think we’re taking advantage of you."

"Saskia, you could never take advantage of us. It’s always quite the reverse. You’ve done so much for Lydia and me we can’t begin to repay you so shush and get on with it. By the way, when’s your birthday?"

Two weeks today. That’s what we want to talk to you about. We’ve been invited to London by some members of the Grease cast we saw a couple of years ago in Manchester. We’d like to stay in that hotel you took us to when you were knighted. We’d like to talk to Angelo again. What we need to know is how much it might cost us.

There was silence for a few seconds then James said, Nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing. It’ll be our birthday present to you.

But James you can’t! There’ll be six of us anyway. We can’t let you, it’s not fair.

James chuckled. Do you remember when you pretended to be me and entertained Watanabe-san and the trade delegation? The result of that day’s work doubled my company turnover. Six girls in a five star hotel in London? Less than peanuts, trust me. And if you want to speak to Angelo you’ll need a reservation in the restaurant. My pleasure also.

Oh James, that’s so wonderful. Thank you. There was only one thing to do. I flung caution to the winds and put my arms round him in a hug - just as Lydia came into the conservatory.

Saskia Chandler. Unhand my husband at once, she said indignantly - then spoiled it by laughing. Ok. What’s he done now?

I gave Lydia a hug as well. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Saskia with her arms round James. He’s just given me the most wonderful birthday present. I explained about the hotel. So it’s going to be a brilliant weekend.

I could see Saskia beside me waiting to hug Lydia. It was like planes stacked up round Heathrow waiting to land. I cleared out of the way and Saskia got her turn at Lydia.

We need to go and make arrangements. I need to see if all the girls, those that are still here at least, can come.

Go and use the phone in the spare office at the back of the house. You know where it is? Good. Go on, go sort stuff out before you burst.

We almost skipped out, although skipping wasn’t what we did these days. All four of the girls were able to come with us. We had them write it in their diaries, subject to final instructions.

We never did get in the pool. James wanted to speak to us.

Have you two thought what you’re going to do when you leave school in a month or whatever?

Not really. Saskia will still only be here part time. Richie has to earn a crust.

It wasn’t like Saskia to mention Richie but she had a point.

Mm. That’s what I mean, James said. Perhaps now is the time to speak to that Voice of yours about swapping Richie and Saskia around. That will mean Saskia won’t have Richie’s salary but that’s ok.

James, I should say something sarcastic but I won’t because I think you have a plan.

Blast. You noticed. Yes, I have a plan. You told me you two will eventually work for me. Now could be the time to start.

Now?

Yes, now. Think about it. We don’t know what you’re going to do for me, only that I employ you. Suppose I do this. Saskia gets to be here all the time. So, she’s happy, you are happy, and both of you are here all the time to make Rob happy. All winners, no losers.

"James, we’ve not given this any thought yet but that would be wonderful."

"Unlike you two, I’ve given this considerable thought on your behalf. Let me tell you what I think and you can tell me what you think."

He took a deep breath and began, First, all your Voice has to do is make Saskia exist. She needs all the paper trail that goes with a person in this day and age. Once that’s done, we have to do away with Richie. No, not like that! Your faces!

He paused to laugh then continued, Richie needs to resign from his job. To all intents and purposes he disappears. You tell Rob he’s gone to work in Australia or something. His last task is to beg Rob to look after Saskia. Do you think Rob will be up for that?

Dad would be in heaven if we were both there all the time.

You can make Richie appear to still be there as far as Rob is concerned. He can write and ring and stuff. As far as anybody else is concerned Richie just isn’t here anymore.

"That would be a brilliant way to do it, Saskia. The only way I could think of would have had Voice messing with Dad’s memory again. I do not want that."

I gave her a hug. Me neither. I think James has got it just about spot on.

But James, if we work for you, what are we going to do?

I’ve given that some thought as well. I’m going to set up a new department, called Special Projects or something like that. You know we have plants in other countries now? Well, you can be our trouble-shooters. Go fix things if we have trouble. For instance, we have a plant in Russia which keeps getting problems with the local gang bosses. Up your street do you think?

And we could still do stuff for the government. Don’t forget we are your actual members of the security services. I made my badge appear briefly and then disappear again."

See what I mean? It’ll all work out.

We just need to find something to tell Dad. More lies, Saskia sighed.

You tell him the truth, just not all of it.

Hmm. We’ll think of something. There’s time yet.

On to something a bit more immediate. Are all your friends up for the London trip?

Yep. That’ll make six of us. I thought perhaps two to a room? Saskia and me in one and the other four can sort themselves out.

You need to make sure you take posh frocks for the restaurant, said Lydia. I don’t suppose your designer dresses will fit you now. You’ve grown a bit and filled out a bit as well.

Lydia, remember who we are. Shall we try for you?

Oh. Yes. Sorry. D’you think it’ll work? Of course you do, don’t you?

We’ll be back in a tick. We both got up and left the room.

Outside in the hallway we checked to make sure Jeeves and Milly were not in evidence then changed to be wearing the dresses Edna had made for us when we went to see James being knighted. Of course they fit perfectly, as everything did when we changed to be wearing it.

A grand entrance?

No. Not this time. Straight hair and let’s go in hand in hand. Be ourselves.

We walked back in hand in hand. Lydia sat in what looked like stunned silence and James just said, Wow.

Lydia found her voice eventually. It’s a great shame I can’t send Edna a picture of the two of you like that, but I think I might have trouble explaining how the clothes made for two skinny sixteen year olds still fit when they’re turned eighteen.

Will we do then?

Oh, you’ll do alright. I recommend leaving your hair down. Don’t want to shame the other poor girls too much.

They won’t mind. They’re used to it, ever since the original day at Sophie’s when we beat everybody. They’ll be ok.

Have you updated yourselves recently? asked James. Only you look more alike than ever.

"We did it just last week. We’ve not changed deliberately to be alike, this is what I look like and that’s what the girl Saskia copied actually looks like as well. Coincidence, obviously."

James had remembered that unless we made a conscious effort to age ourselves every now and then, we’d look the same forever.

Do you mind if we change back? Before Jeeves or Milly notice?

Mmm, probably a good idea. Lydia grinned. No, don’t go out. James, close your eyes.

We changed back to the clothes we’d been wearing when we arrived.

Right. I’ll arrange everything for the hotel. Just say who you are when you arrive.

"We’ll see you before then probably. Even if it is only to use your pool."

By the time we got back to Saskia’s, Rob was already cooking tea. Sorry, Dad. We were going to do that. We wash up, ok?

If you say so. Who am I to refuse an offer like that. How did you get on with James and Lydia?

Oh, Dad. James is wonderful. He’s paying for us to stay at that hotel we stayed in when we went with him to London. It’s his birthday present to Saskia.

"Hmm. Good job that’s all arranged, else my present wouldn’t be much use."

Dad?

"Remember the limo company that owed me a favour? I’ve got you a big car for the weekend. Not pink, but big enough for all six of you. I didn’t want you going on the train and having to lug a ton of stuff all over London."

I rushed to him and flung my arms around him. "Oh, that’s so brilliant. Thank you. Why are you all so good to me?"

Because you deserve it. You’ve spent so much of your time being good to others it’s time you had a go for a change.

I didn’t trust myself to speak further.

That evening in bed I said to Saskia, Is this what it’s going to be like when I’m here all the time? I really can’t believe it might actually happen.

"It is what you want isn’t it?"

"Yes! More than anything. You can’t imagine what it’s like to suddenly be loved and appreciated when you never have been before. The only love I had was so short and ended so tragically, I’d resigned myself to it never happening again. But it has, and I’m so happy."

You loved Jennie Buckley, didn’t you? And she loved you?

Yes. But it was for such a short time, and then she was killed. I thought that was it.

She was beside me, sitting on the floor. "Don’t worry. I love you, even if it’s not in quite the same way. Dad loves you too, as the second daughter he never had."

She gave me a cuddle and a kiss, went back to her own bed and we got on with going to sleep.

Two

Sunday. After breakfast, we went for our more or less usual walk. It took us over the bridge over the bypass. We stopped to watch the cars going past beneath us. One car wasn’t going anywhere.

There’s a car on the hard shoulder with a flat tyre. Poor man is going to try to change it.

He isn’t getting very far. Ha-ha. A closer look with super vision reveals he’s got no jack. He’s a bit stuck.

I know who it is. It’s that PR chap of James’. What’s his name? Jeff?

You’re right. Let’s go help him. Need to be the SuperTwins. Going to have to lift the car for him.

Looking round to check nobody could see us change, we became the SuperTwins and an instant later were landing gently next to Jeff and his stranded car.

Woo! Where did you two come from? No, don’t bother, the costumes are a bit of a giveaway. Any chance of a hand?

Our pleasure. I’ll lift up, Katya, you undo the wheel nuts.

We changed his wheel in seconds.

Well, thank you very much. I was about to call the AA but you’ve saved me a long wait.

You’re welcome. Lucky we were passing. Must go, I’m afraid.

We lifted off straight up. Did you see his face. He was trying to work out where he’d seen us before.

At the Trade Delegation meeting at the plant. But we were wearing normal clothes. That’s probably what was giving him trouble.

As we turned to fly home, Saskia said, What’s that odd cloud over there on the horizon?

I looked and saw a mushroom-shaped cloud. That’s an explosion or fire of some kind. Maybe we should go take a look?

We put on a burst of super speed and were in the vicinity of the cloud within seconds. It turned out to be a petrol tanker. It appeared to have skidded off the motorway and hit a bridge. Petrol leaking from it had caught fire. It was just a matter of time before the whole tank blew up.

The traffic police had closed the motorway but it was just too dangerous for the emergency services to get close to it. Not too dangerous for the SuperTwins.

Saskia, if we blow through a little hole between our lips we should get a very cold blast of air. That ought to put the fire out. I sucked in a breath and blew. Saskia joined me and frost formed on the road as we blew the fire out.

There was still a hole in the end of the tanker where petrol was leaking out. We can’t weld it, heat vision might ignite the petrol vapour. What do we do?

The hole is in the end - well the back actually. Let’s lift it up and stand it on its front. That’ll stop the stuff leaking out. Do you know how to disconnect it from the tractor?

Yeah. Hang on, I’ll uncouple the suzies."

The what?

Suzies. Don’t ask, I don’t know why they’re called that. It’s the airlines and the power cables. Now we pull the pin and you should be able to pull it backwards off the turntable.

The tank disconnected easily. I lifted it on