PICTURES, WORDS AND WORRIES

SETTLING, FUTURE, NOW Chapter 7

The air was thick with tension, nerves and a steely determination. The process had begun two days previously. Bjorn, Benny and Frida had very quickly moved to put together a plan and a way to settle the debts of Mona and Ronny. As they had promised and in spite of Bjorn's protests, Benny and Frida made a significant contribution each to the £750,000 bill, eventually after much discussion the trio paid £250,000 each to finish this once and for all. They'd agreed between them that Agnetha was to know nothing of this, her pregnant state meant that she really didn't need any more stress and certainly not the kind of turmoil this shocking revelation of just who was blackmailing them and why would bring. "We have to settle some tax debt that Stig has got Polar into. But, the sales of the new album, even if it only makes number 20!, will more than cover it. So don't worry, think no more of it, it'll be settled ASAP. In fact Benny and I are going to hop on the plane with Mona, Ronny and Isaac and settle it." Relieved, Agnetha never questioned anything, she was all too aware of Stig and his financial antics and accepted this as truth. To ensure her well being it was decided that Frida would remain in England with her, making sure she was resting and taking care of her "Look at it this way. Whilst their off doing all that boring stuff, we can sit here and poke fun at them both! It'll be great, a proper girl's thing. And no interference or interruptions from double B and heir beards!" So it was that with everything arranged they headed off to Stockholm on their mission to settle this unsettling problem. A 2 and 1/2 hour flight later they were bac in Stockholm, aiming to leave again as quickly as possible. Frida had arranged a power of attorney for them to handle her financial contribution and the two best friends and musical legends met up quickly with Gorel at Polar Music offices "I have the bankers draft ready to go, all we need is your signatures and the power of attorney from Frida and the funds will be transferred immediately" They signed without hesitation, handing the papers from Frida to Gorel. Time was pressing and they quickly headed to the bank handling the details to set things in motion, the manager quickly signed and wrote the bankers draft, counter signed by Bjorn and Benny both for themselves and as Frida's representatives. Moving back to the car Bjorn felt the need to say something "Listen both of you, I want to say something, something important" he paused briefly, gathering his thoughts "I wanted to thank you both, on behalf of myself and Agnetha. I appreciate what you've both done more than you could ever know. If it wasn't for us and our complicated love life, none of this would have happened and we are truly sorry. We'll make it up to you both and Frida, that we promise!" Benny smiled and shook his head "No brother. There's no need to make anything up, you would have done this and more for us. It's what friends, family do. And to both of us, the two of you are family and always will be" For once Bjorn was speechless, he was touched, moved by what his friend had just said and Gorel then echoed those thoughts "Who else would we do this for? The two of you don't deserve this. And it isn't your fault. You didn't go to casinos you couldn't afford, this is on Mona and Ronny, no one else" A meeting was hastily arranged they were to go to the head office of the consortium who owned the casinos, on the way to the office in the lift Bjorn made it clear to Mona and Ronny who had come along, what the future would be like "Look you two, I don't want to argue, fall out, drift apart over this. You are family, close family, that can and will never change. But let me make this clear. This is the first and last time we do this. It can never happen again. As soon as it's done you're going to do two things. Firstly, give me the membership cards so I can destroy them and second, promise me on your lives, on Isaac's life that you will never, ever go to a casino again. Agreed?" Humbled by all that had transpired Mona and Ronny meekly agreed to the plan, it was a lifeline they could never have dreamt of when they concocted this foolhardy plan. They entered a large office where a bottle tanned man wearing a flashy suit and dripping in jewellery sat behind a desk smoking a cigar. He stood as they approached, an insincere smile on his face "Ronny! Mona! Two of my best and favourite clients. Come, sit down. Here on business or pleasure?" At that moment he noticed two familiar figures in the room and his heart pounded "Well now this is a pleasure! Can we offer you Gold, VIP membership. You can have instant and limitless credit. We'd love to see you here. Just imagine the goodwill and publicity! ABBA stars in our casino, oh so thrilling!" Tired of his nonsense Bjorn and Benny moved forward eager to sort this out and leave "Nothing of the sort. We're here to settle the business you have with my Sister In Law and Brother In Law. Nothing more, nothing less" Benny now joined the conversation "We won't ever enter this place again, so any plans you have will not come to anything. Let's finish our business and go our separate ways" Momentarily he was stunned into silence, all the wind taken from his sails, as he flustered Bjorn took the opportunity to bring this whole sorry affair to a swift close. He reached into his pocket and produced a letterbox shaped envelope and moved over to the desk, placing it carefully on the desk itself "All the money owed to you is there, in a bankers draft. Every Krone, every last Ore. Not an Ore more or a Krone less. The debt is settled, once and for all, now I think our business will be complete once you check everything is satisfactory and we'll then be leaving forthwith!" All the smarm had been knocked from this egotistical man and meekly he opened the envelope. His eyes widened like saucers as he read the amount on the bankers draft. Colour flushed his cheeks and armed with all this money, suddenly he recovered "Well this is an unexpected turn of events. Here I was prepared to work out a payment schedule and yet you turn up with the full amount, in a bankers draft no less. I think this calls for a celebration!" he pressed a button on his intercom "Malin, a bottle of Dom Perignon and5 glasses if you will!" he looked up expectantly, smiling, grinning like a Cheshire cat, but the smile faded as he saw Bjorn shaking his head "No that will not be necessary. We didn't come here to socialise or celebrate. We came to settle a rather large debt, to prevent trouble and that's what we've done. And so we're leaving. NOW!" The door opened and a young lady appeared carrying a tray of glasses and a bottle under her arm "Perhaps one glass? Or two?" he persisted, Bjorn shook his head and ushered Mona and Ronny out of the door, Benny turned once "We don't like bullies, we don't like exploitation. So you can drink that Champagne yourself!" he followed the others out of the door and they quickly stepped into the elevator and went down to the car park and as quickly as legally possible beat a hasty retreat. They stopped at the Polar Offices where Bjorn personally thanked Gorel and "Berka" "Listen, the two of you have done us the most exceptional favours and it won't be forgotten. That I promise" Gorel smiled sweetly "Well we'd never see anything bad happen when we can help, right "Berka"?" Hans or "Berka" nodded "Too right. Hated to hear and find out what was going on. Hopefully it's finished now" Bjorn raised his eyebrows "Oh it's finished for definite!" he turned to Mona and Ronny and held out his hand "Time to fulfil your end of the bargain. The membership cards if you please" Mona reached into her handbag, Ronny into is wallet and they handed the cards over silently. Bjorn took them and held them up in front of their eyes "This ends here and now forever. No more casinos, no more gambling, no more high life, living beyond your means!" He dropped the cards into a metal bin and taking some matches set them alight, watching the shrivel, bend and burn before throwing a glass of water over them and watching as the remains smouldered "And now it's done, over with. And we can return to a normal life. And before you panic, we'll never hold this against you. You made a mistake, we all do, I know I do. But from this day forward we never, ever mention this again. It dies here!" as Mona and Ronny digested what was being said Benny also had something to say "Look you two, you know how much we think of you both. Yu mean a lot to all of us, Frida and myself included. We hated to see you in so much bother. So look at it this way, it's a lesson albeit a painful one. Just live like normal people, we all do. And we love having you around us and want to keep it that way!" The message got through and sunk deep into Mona and Ronny's hearts and souls. They would never again be so foolish, so irresponsible. The lesson was learned completely. True to their word Benny, Bjorn and Frida never mentioned this incident again, it was to be expunged, as if it never happened. The proceeds from The Visitors album more than compensated for the money paid out, they ended up with significantly more! Life returned to normal, Mona and Ronny were much loved family members and along with everyone else in January 1982 they travelled to England to meet the newest member of the family, baby Emma. Agnetha had no idea of what had transpired, Bjorn, Benny and Frida kept it from her deliberately. At the Hospital as everyone gathered around Agnetha reached out to hold Mona's hand "Bjorn had the sweetest idea. We're going to call her Emma, but Bjorn suggested her middle name should be Mona, after her Aunt!" Many smiles along with some tears were shed at that news, everything was as it should be. Bjorn smiled to himself and decided on some mischief. As everyone chatted he casually strolled over to Mona and Ronny and whispered in their ears "Just imagine the odds you'd have got on that middle name! Talk about a good bet!" They laughed heartily, Mona and Ronny knew how fortunate they were, they realised they could have been expelled from all family matters, but instead here they were, very much part of life, loved, welcomed and having some fun. One thing for certain was that nothing would ever bring the family to this kind of crisis again. Life would be wonderful from now on.......

THE END