Voyage 2002

"I thought I'd report the success of your stupid trick!" July 2002 / Benny

Dordogne, Southern France

He had brought a jug of water to Björn and his children. Frida was with Agnetha and he took a seat at the table where everyone was sitting.

He listened to his best friend who - without going into details - tried to explain where Agnetha's reaction came from. Somewhat reluctantly, because they knew that Agnetha was as closed as an oyster about it, Björn mentioned PTSD. Linda, Christian and Anna looked at their father, wide-eyed. Emma couldn't stop crying.

"You don't just get PTSD, do you?" Christian asked softly. "She had already told us a few things in London, but what else has happened that we don't know about?"

"Mum doesn't want me to tell you all the ins and outs, but you're right when you say you don't get PTSD just like that... There's a lot that goes into it. I think it's Mum's job to tell you guys things, but..."

Linda stood up and pushed her chair with a jerk. "She's never going to do that, Dad! And you know it! In the meantime, I now picture her getting beaten up and raped pretty much every day!"

Björn looked at Linda. She was standing with her hands at her sides. It was clear that he didn't know what to do.

Benny cleared his throat. Björn's children all looked at him.

"You're not far off," he replied, uttering the words Björn dared not say, but which would put all the pieces of the puzzle in place. So, now they knew, and now Björn wasn't guilty. Agnetha could start yelling at him if she didn't agree...

Linda covered her mouth with her hand and started to cry. Jens lifted Tilda out of the grass and walked towards her. "Jesus!" she exclaimed.

He also stood up and put his arm around her. "It's terrible to hear, Lindus, and a lot of bad things have happened to her, but believe me when I say she's relatively happy now. I promise!"

Jens was standing next to them now and he let go of Linda again. Meanwhile, Frida came outside. She was carrying a plastic bag with things in it.

Linda was still sobbing. Emma studied her hands silently and looked guilty. Christian and Anna sat defeated. Tilda wanted to go down again to look for insects. Björn got up and took her from Jens.

"Agge will fall asleep soon," Frida said. "Or she's already asleep. What do you want to do with this?"

Björn looked up. "What is it?"

"Stuff from Lena."

"Give it to me please," he replied.

"What's in it?" Emma asked, standing up.

"It doesn't matter," Björn said, stretching out his hand towards the bag.

Benny watched as everyone tried to look in it.

"Just stop it!" Björn shouted in exasperation, but Christian intercepted it and started messing around in it.

"Jesus, Lena!" he exclaimed, before Björn snatched it from his hands again.

"Give it back!"

"Why can't I know what's in it?" Emma asked.

"Because it doesn't contribute anything!" Björn replied.

At that moment, Tilda made it clear that she wanted to go back to! the! ground!

She made an impossible movement and Björn had to do his very best not to let his granddaughter drop. "My goodness! I raised four of them, but what is this one doing?

Anna took the opportunity to snatch the bag.

"Anna!" he called out, but it was too late.

In one movement, Anna shook the things on the table and Benny's mouth fell open. As did those of the others, who did not yet know the content.