Chicago: The fifth book in the Saskia story

damages.

One

Monday. It had been one hell of a weekend. The Charity Ball had been a great success on Saturday. We’d raised over a hundred thousand pounds. Only a thousand over, but still more than a hundred grand.

Lunch with James on Sunday was - interesting. We’d discovered that Peter and Melanie were now going out together and Ellie and Andy had revealed that they were an item as well. Both things had come as a surprise to me and, I think, to Saskia too.

Sunday afternoon Saskia and I had unwound with a walk in the woods. Now that was over and we had to get back into the real world. Saskia drove us to the hotel to see Cesca and Holly.

What do we need to collect apart from the computer? asked Saskia.

Nothing of ours I don’t think. We just need to check everybody else has arranged to fetch their own stuff. I know Anna and Hannah took the wedding dresses back to Harveys on Saturday night, which just leaves the other clothes.

Will our IT department be around to get the Accounts computer d’you think?

If not, we can ring Gerry and see what they’re going to do.

The IT people were already there when we arrived. Hi Saskias. D’you want us to take that computer of yours as well?

No. We’ll see to that, don’t worry, said Saskia. Can’t have you lot getting your grubby hands on our nice new shiny computer.

The guy from IT had the grace to laugh. We smiled and went to find Cesca.

Good morning, Cesca. How are you after the weekend? asked Saskia."

I’ll survive. That was some show you put on.

We try. Did you see the final total?

Yes. I was in the back of the hall when you asked for the final update. Very impressive.

Which? The total or our means of displaying it? I asked with a grin.

Both of course.

Is there anything you need us to do? We’re going to see Holly and get our stuff out of your way.

Don’t think so. Most of the clothes people have already been and gone.

In that case it only remains for us to thank you for all your help, I said. I suspect you might get a more formal thank you from Sir James in due course.

It’s been a pleasure. Any help we’ve given has simply been our contribution to your charity. By the way, did you know that our chief executive won the bid for the trackday for his son and friends?

That’s really good. They’ll enjoy that. We need to go find Holly. I doubt this is the last time we’ll meet. Bye, Cesca, said Saskia.

Holly wasn’t around. I began disconnecting the equipment while Saskia went to get her paged. By the time they appeared, I was ready to go.

Holly, I said, You’re a star. Thanks for Saturday.

Saskia, that’s spooky. That’s just what Saskia said a minute ago. Did you rehearse it?

No, I laughed, Great minds think alike, that’s all.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll see you both again before long. Want a hand with that stuff?

Thanks, Holly. Probably do it in one trip if you help.

If Holly wondered how we could carry so much in one go she didn’t say anything. Super girls like Saskia and me have no problem with carrying things. We have to be a little careful. It doesn’t do to pick up very heavy stuff in public, at least not while we look like Saskias - as Kyra and Katya, of course, we can be seen to lift anything.

At the Robinson plant, we moved the computer and bits into our office. It was supposed to go at home but until the house move was complete we had nowhere to put it. Melanie wanted to talk to us - well - to me really.

Saskia, are you ok with Peter and me? Us going out I mean?

Of course, Melanie. I’m very happy for both of you.

Only I thought you might have been - you know. I’ve seen you kissing.

I sighed, "I’ve known Peter for years. For most of that time he’s been trying to persuade me to go out with him. I’ve not given in to his requests. Peter is, however, a very dear friend. Not a boyfriend, just a friend. When I kiss him, it’s just a measure of that friendship. Yesterday, when I heard the news, I released him from any obligation he might have thought he had towards me. I no longer have the right to kiss him, that is now yours, until you release him. I hope you never do. I’m so happy for both of you."

Saskia, you mean all that don’t you?

Yes. I no longer have a friend called Peter, I have friends called Peter and Melanie.

I walked over and kissed her. For a moment I thought she was going to cry, she managed not to - just.

Saskia whispered, Twin, that was so nice of you.

Simply the truth. What more could I say?

We should go and see James. Hold the fort Melanie? asked Saskia.

Fort is being held at this time. Holding will continue for foreseeable future.

I grinned. Melanie was back to her old self, more or less.

To see James we had to get past Amanda, his PA. Can we get in to see the boss or is there a queue? I asked.

After this weekend I’d wouldn’t be surprised if orders were issued that you two could go in whoever was in there. Damn good show on Saturday.

Thanks, Amanda. We try. I know, I know, sometimes we’re very trying.

Amanda laughed. Boss is expecting you. Go in before he hears I’m holding you up and gives me the sack.

James was sitting behind his desk. You’re expecting us? I thought we’d done the debriefing yesterday over lunch, said Saskia.

I know you two. I reckon you’ll have some last minute thing or other you want me to do. Besides, I have a little task for you. You can go first.

Are we that predictable? I asked. We do want you to do something as it happens. Will you do a formal thank you letter to the hotel? It’s the kind of thing they pin up on their wall so all the staff can read it and have a pleasant feeling for a little while. In my other life we called them Hero-grams. It’s very nice to get one.

It’ll be my pleasure. Trust you to think about other people.

It’s our job. It’s what we do, said Saskia. "What’s the job you want us to do?"

Ah, yes. Go down to Accounts and make sure they write a cheque for the Charity people. Then bring it up here and I’ll sign it. I’d like you to do the covering letter. I’m sure they’ve heard what the total is but if you were to give them a ring as soon as you have the cheque in your hand....

We can do that, if you’re happy not to do it yourself.

Quite happy. Just one little thing - they’ll want pictures and interviews, for their own newsletter if nothing else. I want you to do that. You did the work, you can take the credit.

And who’s thinking about other people now, Sir James Robinson? said Saskia.

Yes, well. Hm. Go on and find something to do. I’m busy.

I walked over to him and gave him a gentle kiss. Thank you, James. We’ll see to everything.

Saskia waited until I was out of the way then gave James her own kiss. We walked out of his office leaving him a little embarrassed at being caught being human for a change.

Accounts were only too pleased to produce a cheque for the large amount of money we’d raised. A phone call to the cancer charity headquarters revealed they did know what the actual final figure was, but James was right, they wanted to talk to us. Nothing would do but that we made an appointment for them to visit on Thursday. We could hand the cheque over then.

At that point everything went on hold.

Two

Saskia, can you feel the MI5 phone ringing?

Yep, I said, Hang on, I’ll make it appear. I changed to be holding it, the ringing sound became audible. I answered it, luckily there was no one around at the time.

Hello, this is Kyra. What can I do for you. Saskia stood next to me with an attentive expression, she was listening in with super hearing.

This is the Ministry of Defence. One moment, I have the Minister for you.

What do they want us to do now, whispered Saskia.

At least it’s not MI5.

Huh. Probably no chance of getting shot at then.

Honestly! You and getting shot at!

I like it!

I’ve noticed.

Hello? Miss Kyra?

This is she. How may we help you?

The PM has passed on this number. I hope you don’t mind but you are probably the only people who can help us.

Tell us what the problem is and we’ll see what we can do, I said.

It’s a bit delicate for the telephone. Could you come to the ministry?

This is probably the only completely untraceable line in the world but we’ll come and see you. How much urgency is there?

This afternoon would be good. There is no immediate urgency but we need to resolve the matter within the next day or so.

And that would be Whitehall?

Yes. Announce yourselves at the main door.

We’ll be there. Goodbye.

What now I wonder, mused Saskia as I put the phone away by changing so as not to be holding it.

Only one way to find out, Twin. London this afternoon.

Right. Accounts. Cheque. Tell James we’ll be out for a couple of days while he signs it. Cafeteria to stoke the boilers, then London. said Saskia.

One final thing. Should we tell Archie Spencer at the paper that the Charity people are coming? I asked her.

Why not. Pictures in the papers again.

You know you like it really.

Not so much like it as maintaining our position as pillars of the community.

I suppose you do have a point, I said.

In our office we managed a word with Melanie. Can you hold the fort for a bit longer. We’ve got one of those put your fingers in your ears jobs over the next couple of days.

No problem. One day I’ll find out what all this is about, she laughed.

Trust me, Melanie, you don’t want to know.

On the way to Accounts Saskia had an observation. Do you remember the trip to 2065? One of the older Saskias said that James thinks we’re spies or something?

Go on.

Well James knows all about us, it’s everybody else who knows about our security status who thinks we’re spies. Like Melanie. Bet if you asked her outright that’s what she’d say.

Hm. Probably right as usual, Twin.

Accounts had a cheque ready. I’d never seen an actual cheque for so much money before. I found myself handling it as if it might explode or something. A vision crossed my mind of us taking it up to James on purple cushion. That made me giggle.

What’s the joke, Twin? asked Saskia.

Oh just a thought about taking this cheque upstairs on a velvet cushion with footmen in livery and guards with swords and stuff.

You feeling all right?

Yeah. I think I’m beginning to recover from the weekend a bit. How about you?

A nice day as Katya being shot at and I’ll be up there with you.

You and being shot at. I’m going to let the MOD know you’re available for target practice.

Oo, that’d be fun. They can test nuclear weapons on us.

"Well we did survive the largest man-made explosion ever in 2065."

"Girl-made please! We set the thing off."

Ok. Your point is thoroughly taken.

We arrived at Amanda’s office still with smiles on our faces, or was that silly grins - whatever.

You two look more like yourselves now. You were a bit serious earlier.

Oh, another hour or two and we’ll be back to playing tricks on you, I said.

Better watch out, Amanda, said Saskia.

I really don’t know which Saskias I prefer, said Amanda. The serious, down to earth workers, or the two minxes who usually appear.

We know which you prefer, said Saskia. And they’ll be back shortly.

Amanda grinned and pointed at the door to James office. Go. Now.

We’re gone already.

Hi Boss. Cheque to sign. Got a slight problem, said Saskia.

And the nature of this slight problem is? asked James.

The MOD want us to do a job for them, probably need the other two. London this afternoon then probably who knows tomorrow, I said.

The Charity people are coming up on Thursday. Can you hang on to the cheque until then please, James? asked Saskia.

No problem. Go and have a nice couple of days letting your hair down.

But we never wear our hair up, James. It’s always down, said Saskia in mock-seriousness.

Well at least you’re beginning to be back to your old selves again, laughed James, I was beginning to worry.

That’s what Amanda said, I said. Have we been that bad this morning?

Just go and have a bit of fun for a while that’s all.

Ok, Boss. We’re gone.

We made our way down to the cafeteria. Everybody we passed smiled, waved or said hello. Such is fame. It felt nice to be appreciated. I never had been before I met Saskia, or loved either for that matter. Saskia had fixed that - and then some!

We had burgers for lunch. For most people a diet of burgers and hot chocolate would result in tubby people. Not Saskia and me. Every time we changed, to fix hair or clothes or to be Kyra and Katya and back, our body shape was reset. We couldn’t get fat. Privately I thought we probably didn’t actually need to eat at all, we certainly didn’t need to breathe - we could work in space above the air or underwater without a problem. But I liked eating and I’m fairly sure Saskia did too.

The mini was left where it was in the plant car park. We expected to be back to collect it later. In the secluded spot we’d found in the plant grounds we changed to be Kyra and Katya, the SuperTwins. Flying at super speed means it takes very little time to get to London. It took nearly as long to find somewhere to land out of sight around Whitehall, but super vision is useful for that.

Still as Kyra and Katya, but no longer in our little super costumes, we walked round to the front of the building and went in through the front door. In our black shirts and pants, nobody could tell who we were, being identical twins didn’t really count.

Snag number one appeared immediately.

Kyra and Katya? Second names?

We don’t have second names, sorry.

That’s a bit irregular. How can you prove who you are?

We don’t have this trouble at MI5, I sighed. Show the nice man your badge Katya.

We both made our MI5 badges appear. The man on the door jumped a bit as they just appeared in our hands, no fumbling in pockets or such. One second nothing, next second, badges.

Perhaps these’ll help, I said sweetly.

Sorry girls. Can’t be too careful.

The treat level is still only High isn’t it? I asked. Only if it goes to Severe or Critical, the PM’s ulcer plays up and everybody cops it.

That got me a smile at least. Our man consulted paperwork. "You are here, just as Kyra and Katya. Sorry again. I should have looked first instead of being a muppet."

It’s your job. You must get all kinds of people in here. Who’re we down to see? We spoke to the Minister, said Saskia.

Says you’re to see Rear Admiral Sir Rodney Watson-Smythe. I’ll let his office know you’re here.

He picked up the telephone. I didn’t bother to listen in with super hearing, I’d been trying to not do that recently, people’s conversations are their own business. Saskia and I have enough secrets without adding other peoples to them.

In due time a girl came and collected us. Our man on the front desk simply waved us through without further formalities, our MI5 badges apparently being sufficient credentials.

We were ushered into an office high up at the front of the building looking out on Whitehall. There were a group of people there with the inevitable folders and stuff full of maps, plans and who knew what all else. I could have looked with x-ray vision but didn’t bother. They’d show us what we needed to see.

Thank you for coming, girls, said a tall middle-aged man in a uniform with enough gold braid and stuff on it to sink a ship - which was probably why he stayed on dry land.

I assume you have a problem only we can resolve for you, said Saskia, straight to the point as usual.

"Er, yes. We’ve lost a submarine. That is, we haven’t lost it, we know where it is but we can’t get to it."

You want us to go and rescue it or whatever? I asked.

We’re hoping you can. It’s under the pack ice near the North Pole.

What? Is it stuck or something? asked Saskia.

Not as such, no. It’s lying on the bottom under the ice. They have no motive power and can’t move. There’s no point surfacing, there’s ice above them. It’s too thick for the sub to break through.

Since the Minister said the situation isn’t desperate, I take it it’s a nuclear powered submarine? It’s ok except that it can’t move? said Saskia.

The problem is really quite simple to fix, it’s to do with the propeller. But it can only be done outside the boat. Not possible while it’s on the bottom.

We don’t want to have to carry a damn great submarine all the way from the North Pole, I said. If we smash the ice, lift the sub out onto the ice, can the men repair it?

Yes. I would expect so.

Ok. If we do that, then chuck it back in the water, can it continue its mission or whatever on its own?

"Yes. There would be no problem with that. Er - can you really lift a nuclear submarine out of the water?"

If we can carry a jumbo jet or a Ro-Ro ferry, I reckon a little submarine’ll be no problem, I said sweetly.

We’ll go do it in the morning, said Saskia. Do you have its coordinates - where it is at the moment?

Folders were opened and papers consulted. A set of latitude and longitude figures appeared which both Saskia and I committed to memory.

I assume you’re in contact with the sub? I asked.

Yes. We’ll tell them to expect you in the morning.

Make sure they have the kettle on, we like hot chocolate, said Saskia.

All the suits and uniforms round the table looked a bit bemused at our apparent lack of deference. We smiled sweetly as we took our leave. The same girl took us back to the main entrance. She’d been in the room while we were talking. On the way up I suppose we’d come across as ordinary girls. On the way down she treated us with a bit more respect. As well she might - we were the famous SuperTwins.

We walked back round the buildings to a spot out of view. Saskia lifted into the air between one step and the next. As she rose, she changed to be wearing her super costume. I copied her. It doesn’t really matter what we wear but the little super costumes, with the little skirts and capes, are the only clothes that are as indestructible as we are.

As we flew, Saskia said, Blast. Not going to get shot at. Oh well there’s other days.

I hope our little SatNav-thingy does latitude and longitude, I said. I’m fairly sure it does. Might have to spend a few minutes tonight checking how to work it.

I think as soon as you fiddle with it you’ll know how to do it. Saskia Magic should deal with that.

Yeah. Still need to check.

Back at the plant, we dropped back to the ground, landed, and changed back to Saskia and Saskia. Collecting the mini, we drove home - or at least Saskia did, as usual. I didn’t mind her hogging the driving, I’d done enough driving as Richie, it was nice to be driven everywhere for a change.

Arriving home first meant we were in charge of kitchen duties. Now we were wage earning workers, we shared the chores with Rob, Saskia’s dad. We had a few minutes to spare so we did a quick house clean. We can do this in only a few minutes, moving at super speed. The longest time is taken up with hoovering, the poor machine just can’t keep up.

Rob is nothing if not observant. You two not been to work today? House looks very neat and tidy?

Cheek Dad. You know we try to keep up with it. And I know you can push the hoover around as well, I’ve seen you do it.

Drat! Found out. Now you know all about my secret life as Housemaid Hunt. Able to clean dust out of the most difficult corners, scourge of the washing up bowl.

Do you have to wear a special costume like Kyra and Katya? I asked with a grin.

Rob laughed. My costume looks exactly like the clothes I wear all the time - unlike those two friends of yours.

Ahh, but then we can’t tell when you’re being Housemaid Hunt or not. At least you can recognise Kyra and Katya, said Saskia.

Usually them dropping out of the sky is a bit of a giveaway, I said.

Enough of this banter already, said Saskia. Somebody set the table, food’s nearly done.

Three

After tea Saskia and I retired to our room. I made the little handheld GPS unit appear. It did do latitude and longitude, entering the coordinates of the submarine made it go away and think about it for a few seconds, then it said meep and tried to tell us which way to go. If we’d actually gone that way we’d have left holes in the side wall of the house, but it was a start at least.

The following morning we set off for the plant as usual. The mini was left parked there and we used our hidden corner to take off from. As Kyra and Katya we hovered high above the town while I made the GPS-thingy appear.