Rio: A book in the Saskia story

damages.

One

My name is Rio, but I don’t dance on the sand. That’s pretty much my stock reply when people ask me what my name is. Mind you, then I have to explain about Mum and Dad being fans of Duran Duran. What? Never heard of them? Shame on you. Big pop group, had loads of hits around the eighty’s or thereabouts. Oh, I wouldn’t have heard of them either if it wasn’t for my personal connection. Anyway, they wrote a song called Her Name Is Rio. The rest, as they say, is history.

What do I do? I’m a photographer. Well ok, ok, I’m a schoolgirl at the moment but I’m going to be a photographer. I’m much more certain about that now that my friends the Saskias have gotten involved - but that’s another story entirely. And yes, I did say ‘Saskias’, plural. There’s two of them, and they’re both called Saskia - how weird is that - and they’re not related either.

The Saskias have involved me in all kinds of adventures. They even got me a security clearance to photograph the Prime Minister for them. Well not for them exactly, for the company they work for actually, the Robinson Corporation. Sir James Robinson is their boss, I’ve met him, he’s nice. Owns half the county I think. Anyway, did me no harm at school when it got out I’d actually visited him at his house.

Remember I said adventures? A phone call from a Saskia gave me an inkling there might be another one beginning. I had no idea.

Hi Saskia. Where’s the fire?

No fire, just a question. Can we come and talk to you this afternoon? With your mum and dad? Not going to be with Dan?

Dan is my boyfriend. He’s a photographer, a real photographer, works for the local paper.

No. No Dan until this evening. Just me and Mum and Dad. What’s it about, Saskia?

Don’t want to tell you on the phone. Could be - interesting - though.

More pictures?

Sort of - in a manner of speaking. This afternoon - yes?

Ok. Any time. Not going anywhere. All a bit mysterious.

All will be revealed. See you later, Rio.

Saskia rang off. I wondered why she wouldn’t tell me what was going on over the phone. Never mind, I’d find out later on.

The Saskias arrived in their white mini just after lunch. I answered the door and let them in. What’s all this about Saskia?

All in good time. Did you have a good time last night? Not worried by being with all the mob?

We’d all been at a party at Sir James house the previous evening, the Saskias and all their friends - and Dan of course.

No. Not a problem. They’re all a bit like you really, even the boys in a way.

I think you’re officially a member of the mob now, said Saskia Hunt. And Dan. Did he see you home ok?

Looking out for me, Saskia?

Well, you asked us to.

We’ll get you introduced to Jeeves, said Saskia Chandler. I expect James’ll let you go use his pool and stuff, the rest of us can, anytime we like, more or less.

You’re joking. Just appear and ...

Yep. Even when James and Lydia aren’t there.

Oh wow. I pulled myself together a bit. Enough of that. Come on, explain why you’re here, I’m intrigued.

Need your mum and dad as well. Come on, lead the way.

With all five of us sat in the lounge, Saskia Chandler began. You know how we seem to get involved in all kinds of stuff? Well, there’s a little more to us than meets the eye. she fished in her bag and pulled out a little folder. She passed it across for me to look at.

Have any idea what that is? she asked as I turned it over in my hands.

"Don’t know. looks like a identity badge of some kind. Got your name and picture on it. Hang on, MI5? MI5? Does that mean you’re a - spy?"

Yes, and then again, no. Not like you’re thinking, said Saskia Hunt. None of that James Bond 007 stuff. It just means we have a high security clearance, a permanent one, like yours.

But I don’t work for MI5.

Don’t be too sure of that, Saskia Chandler grinned. Who do you think did the checks on you to get you on the Royal Rota?

But - but ...

Ok. Sorry to shock you like that, she said. We need to tell you some things and then ask you some other things.

"Strictly we should only be talking to you, you’re the one with clearance but that really wouldn’t be fair to your mum and dad. I’m sure we can trust them to keep quiet, after all, they’d have been included in the original checks, if they’d been subversive characters you’d not have got your badge."

Saskia Hunt grinned at Mum and Dad who were sitting together. They looked a bit shocked at what they were hearing.

Actually, said Saskia Chandler, we’ve already told you most of it. Saskia and I are MI5 operatives. We’ve been asked to ask you if you’ll do a little job for them. It won’t involve us, you’ll be working with Kyra and Katya, you know, the SuperTwins.

Oh wow! I’d met the SuperTwins. They’d rescued me from the old steelworks when I broke my leg. I suppose you could say I was a friend of theirs.

Now for some difficult stuff, said Saskia Hunt, before I could open my mouth to speak. First a question. How do you think Kyra and Katya knew where you were when you broke your leg at the steelworks?

I - don’t know, I said. I suppose they heard me calling for help."

They did - but not in the way you think. If they’d heard you call, why did it take quite a long time before they came and fished you out?

I - don’t know. I’ve not really thought about it.

The answer is that they were actually visiting James, at his house when they heard you call out. By now you must have realised they didn’t actually ‘hear’ you call.

Saskia Chandler took up the explanation. Kyra and Katya are very mildly telepathic. Given the right circumstances they can talk to each other mind to mind. You, young lady, are a natural telepath. The twins ‘heard’ your telepathic call and shouted back to you. You told them where you were and they came and rescued you.

Oh, wow! That explains so many things! Sometimes I know what my friends are going to say before they say it - I sometimes hear what people are saying even when they aren’t speaking. I just thought it was my imagination.

So now you know it isn’t, it’s real, more or less, said Saskia Hunt.

Incredibly, Mum was nodding. I can do it too, a little. I can’t speak but I can listen. She turned to Dad. I sometimes know what he’s thinking, we made it a joke, but I knew it was real. I wondered if Rio would be able to do it, seems she can.

Both Saskias were nodding.

This is why we’ve been asked if you’ll help the twins. They asked us to do it rather than do it themselves because they thought you knew us rather better than them. They want you to sit inside an aeroplane and talk for them, translate if you like, while they carry the plane to take surveillance pictures. The three of you should be able to speak together without speaking - if you see what I mean.

I thought quickly. Can’t they just use a radio? Maybe not - no - definitely not, or they wouldn’t need me.

Saskia Chandler nodded. Radio silence it’s called. The twins will carry the plane with its engines switched off so nobody will hear it. Anyway, I have to ask - will you do it?

Oh yes! What an adventure. Just wait ‘til I tell - no - I can’t tell anybody can I?

Sorry, no. We’ll know, Sir James will know, for reasons that’ll become apparent shortly, but nobody else. Will you mind?

I thought about this. Is it important - this thing we’re going to do?

It might save a lot of people from getting killed, she said.

In that case you’re on. I’ll do it - no question. I’ll know what I’ve done. It’s enough.

In that case, we need to give you this, said Saskia Hunt. She fished out an envelope and handed it across to me. Keep it safe and don’t lose it.

Inside was a badge like the one they showed me before. It’s got my name and picture and everything. It says I work for MI5. What does ‘INACT’ mean? Here in teeny letters?

Means ‘Inactive’. Means you won’t get called on to do stuff you shouldn’t be involved in, the stuff normal operatives have to deal with. We’re the same, and so are Kyra and Katya. They have to ask us very nicely if they want us do anything for them. Take good care of that. It’ll open all sorts of doors.

Now you’ve agreed to do this, the twins will come calling, probably tomorrow. They need to make sure you can talk together without speaking. This’ll involve James’ swimming pool, which is why he’ll know about it. They’ll tell you a bit more about it if they think you need to know. We only know what - not why, said Saskia Hunt. Oh, and we know when. The Friday after Christmas. That ok?

I guess so. Can’t quite take it all in yet.

Your mum and dad will help, said Saskia Chandler, I could see them both nodding.

I’m sorry we’ve got to go, said Saskia Hunt. Sorry to drop a big bomb and run away but we need to organise the next bit. Then we get a bit of time off for good behaviour.

There was general laughter as I got up and went with them to the door.

Watch out for the twins, probably won’t be wearing the little costumes. Take care, Rio.

And you, Saskias.

Back in the lounge, Mum and Dad were still looking shocked. What about those Saskias then, I said. Working for MI5.

Dad pulled himself together. So do you now. What do you think about it all? If you don’t want to do it we can always ...

Something told him to shut up. Perhaps it was the way I was standing or my expression or something, whatever.

Are you happy you can’t tell anybody about it? asked Mum. I know you and boasting to people.

Mum! You know I only do that when it’s appropriate. This time it won’t be. This is grown-up stuff; I can behave like a grown -up when I need to you know.

Yes, we know, said Dad gently. You can tell us if you need to. Wonder why Sir James is involved?

Dunnow Dad. Let you know when I find out, ok?

Two

The next day there was a knock on the door. I answered the door myself, guessing who it was.

Oh my. The Saskias said you’d call. I wasn’t sure whether to believe them or not. I managed to recover a bit. Come in, come in, sorry, bit of a shock, like having the Prime Minister drop in for coffee.

We’re told you met the Prime Minister.

Mm, yes. At the Robinson plant when he almost got shot.

By now we were in the lounge. Dad was out at work but Mum was in. I could tell she wasn’t sure what to make of the twins.

I - err. She rallied. I’m pleased to meet you. Would like a cup of tea or coffee.

Our friends the Saskias introduced us to hot chocolate. Would you have any? asked one of them, I couldn’t tell them apart.

Oh yes. Ever since they came round we’ve kept some in. She escaped to the kitchen.

Don’t mind Mum, I grinned. "She’s not sure what to think about all this. Thanks for not being quite identical. If you tell me which one of you is which I’ll say hello properly."

One of them held up her hand. I’m Kyra and the other one over there is Katya. She indicated the white pockets on her shirt. This is how we usually let people know who’s who. You’re very quick, takes most people a while and some of them never do figure it out.

Can’t think why, obvious really. Anyway, hello Kyra, hello Katya.

Hello Rio, laughed Katya. Ready for some swimming?

The Saskias said we were going to Sir James Robinson’s to use the pool. They didn’t say why, not really.

Ok. Explanations, said Katya. "You are a natural telepath - the Saskias mentioned that? - but we aren’t. However, when we need to talk but can’t - underwater for instance, no air no speech, see? - then we suddenly find we can hear each other in our heads. When we are able to speak normally, there’s a tiny bit of residual ability left behind. That’s how we heard you, the first time, you were shouting, if you see what I mean."

Kyra took up the tale. In order to ‘hear’ you, we needed to make our own telepathy kick in so Katya jumped into James’ pool. Now she could ‘hear’ you, not very well, you were quite a way off, but enough to get an idea of the problem. It took both of us to shout back to you.

We came and got you and the rest, as they say, is history. Thank you Mrs. Ashworth. That’s very kind of you. Katya said as Mum put down mugs of hot chocolate and sat down.

Now, that was all under a certain amount of stress, said Kyra. We need to check that we can still do it under normal conditions, so to speak. So, we go and use James’ pool. You stand on the side while Katya and I jump in. That makes our telepathy begin to operate and we should be able to speak normally to each other.

Sounds like fun. When do we go?

Now, well, after hot chocolate of course. she grinned. Perhaps you should ask how, not when.

What’d’you ... oh.

Yep. We’re going to carry you - well, one of us is. Don’t worry, we promise not to drop you.

You didn’t before so I guess you won’t now.

We all three laughed as we finished our chocolate. Then it was out to the back garden. With me all wrapped up against the cold, Katya easily scooped me up with my bag of swimming gear. I was bundled up like a mummy but the twins were wearing just thin shirts. Hm, super girls probably don’t feel the cold. Then I concentrated on hanging on as Katya flew a little higher.

It didn’t take long to get to the Robinsons. Katya put me down and we advanced on the front door. It opened before we got there to reveal Jeeves, Sir James butler.

Miss Kyra, Miss Katya, Miss Rio. Good morning. Sir James is expecting you. He led the way to the conservatory.

I got in first. Good morning Sir James. Can I say thank you for your party the other night? Dan and I really enjoyed ourselves.

Sir James was slightly taken aback, but only slightly. You’re more than welcome. Are you sure about all this stuff these other two are getting you involved in?

Quite sure. The Saskias told me it might save a lot of people from getting killed. Least I could do.

Conversation was put on hold for a moment as Jeeves appeared with a tray full of mugs. He set them out in front of us and then withdrew.

There are lots of question you could ask, said Katya. Some we can answer, some we either can’t or won’t. For instance, When - you know it’s the Friday after Christmas - right?

Then there’s Where, said Kyra. We start from Aden, that’s in the Middle East. There’s a How goes with that, we can’t tell you exactly how it works but we can get from here to there in no time at all, just don’t worry about it. We get back the same way so you’ll only be away a few hours.

Now comes Why, said Katya. This is the bit we won’t tell you much about. You know it involves high level aerial photography. Did the Saskias tell you the actual mission details?

Yes. At least they said you two will carry the plane while I’m inside speaking to the crew for you.

Exactly right. That means there’s no radio traffic for the people on the ground to pick up. We fly the plane in slowly so the radar echo looks peculiar. The ground people will think it’s some sort of glitch. By the time they decide to do anything, we’ll be gone. Obviously, because we’re carrying the plane, there’s no engine noise.

You’ll be inside the plane with the pilots telling them what to do and telling us what they want us to do. You’ve done that before I think, said Kyra.

I laughed. Yes, for Sir James. In a helicopter, taking pictures.

And bossing the pilot around unmercifully I hear, laughed Sir James.

He didn’t seem to mind, I said. It all went rather well I thought.

Right, said Kyra. To the pool. Coming to watch, James?

Stand and watch three young girls cavorting in a swimming pool? No, I’m not that way inclined. Help yourselves and tell me what you find out. Lydia might have come to see what you’re up to but she’s not too well at the moment. She’s still in bed.

Sorry to hear that, James, said Katya. Tell her we’re asking after her, all of us.

In the pool changing room, the twins carefully locked the door. For your benefit, Kyra told me. Not a problem for us.

I must have looked perplexed. Look at Katya and you’ll see what I mean.

I turned and looked - and jumped a mile. Katya was wearing a swimsuit. "Wow. How’d you do that?"

Same way as Kyra, laughed Katya. I turned and looked back at Kyra. While I’d been looking at Katya, she’d changed to be wearing a swimsuit as well.

Just super powers, one of the things we can do. Anyway, come on slowcoach. Get changed.

Just so you know, said Katya, The reason for all this messing about is for Jeeves’ and Milly’s benefit. As far as they’re concerned, we’re teaching you life-saving.

But I can do that already.

Good. So we’ll have taught you well then. Come on, we’ll turn our backs.

Eventually I managed to struggle into my swimsuit; I had to get Katya to untangle the straps at the back. The Robinsons pool has plastic furniture down the side of it, Kyra had me sit in a chair, then she sat in the chair next to me. Katya, however, jumped directly into the pool.

Hello up there. Katya calling.

Oh, my. I can hear her! I said. That’s incredible.

And I can hear you Rio, said Katya. Communication seems to be established.

You don’t actually need to speak to be heard but it helps to focus the mind, said Kyra.

Very quickly we discovered that although I could ‘hear’ Katya, I couldn’t ‘hear’ Kyra, even though I was sitting next to her. Then a thought caught up with me, Is she ok? She’s been under for ages.

Katya answered for herself. Don’t worry. Remember who we are. I can stay down here as long as I like.

Ok, said Kyra. No good like this. We all need to be able to talk to each other. Hang on out here Rio.

She jumped into the pool, almost landing on Katya who was sitting on the bottom.

Watch out! All the pool to jump into and you have to end up on top of me.

Sorry, sorry. Couldn’t have hurt you even if I’d actually landed on top of you.

That’s all very well for you, you’d be on top. Watch it or you’ll get a thump.

You two sound just like the Saskias, I laughed. Suppose that’s why you’re their friends really.

Come on in, Rio. Help us be normal girls for a little while at least.

I moved down the pool a little way, so that I didn’t land on anybody when I jumped in. Probably have been ok, but not point being silly. The twins emerged from under the water and for the next twenty minutes or so they managed to be normal girls, giggling, squealing and chucking water at each other. I almost managed to forget just exactly who I was in the pool with.

Eventually I was coaxed out of the pool before I got all pink and crinkly. The twins changed to be dry and dressed with brushed hair more or less straight away while I wasn’t looking.

Will you be ok getting changed while we go and tell James what’s going on? asked Kyra.

Yep. Wish I could get dry like you two. Go on, I’ll find my way, besides, give you time to get the hot chocolate organised.

By some magic, Jeeves the butler knew we’d left the pool, he appeared with mugs within a couple of minutes, more or less at the same time as me. I sighed theatrically.

Look at your hair. Mine’s still damp and stringy. I ought to hate you. Oh, don’t worry, I don’t really.

Didn’t you use the hair dryer in the dressing room? asked Katya.

What - and miss a mug of hot chocolate? I don’t think so. Besides - er - I didn’t see it.

In too much of a rush I expect, said Kyra. Want to go back and use it?

No. Mostly dry anyway. I’ll sort it out later. Are we on for the mission or operation or whatever you call it?

Yep, said Katya. Tests seem one hundred percent successful.

You going to have a problem with not being able to talk about it? asked Sir James.

I don’t think so. I know it’s important that I don’t

Well if it gets a bit too much you can talk to me or Lydia as well as these two and the Saskias.

Thank you, Sir James. That’s kind of you.

And you can knock off the ‘Sir’ as well, just James will do fine.

I grinned. "Are you