LOVE, LOSS, LEYSIN LOOKING

DOWN TO EARTH AND WORK!! Chapter 10

"Come on, come on. Get a fucking move on, we've got work to do!" Stig was as always it seemed, being difficult, demanding, showing no concern for their narrow escape earlier. Bjorn, who was becoming increasingly tired and angry at Stig' attitude had heard enough "Oh you're joining us on stage are you? We had no idea! What songs are you going to sing?" a smirking Benny joined the conversation, instantly picking up the thread started by his best friend "We'll have to rehearse an awful lot with you. We'll need to know what key you sing in, how good you are at high notes, long notes. it could be very tiring for someone your age!" their laughter was infectious, they took delight in tormenting the one person who supposedly had their interests at heart, but who was only interested in himself and lining his pocket with money. Stig glared and sneered at them both "Oh you're so funny! Shut your cake holes and think about work, instead of pissing about, you pair of wankers" Bjorn grabbed his arm roughly, bringing Stig to an abrupt halt "Get off, that bloody hurts" Bjorn tightened his grip further, to emphasise a point he was keen to make "I'll thank you to stop cursing an swearing. We have ladies present and young children. None of them need to hear your potty mouth, so to quote you. Shut your cake hole!" The silence that followed was deafening, they finally arrived at reception where they were greeted by Gorel, who glanced at Stig and silently mouthed "Sorry" to them as they approached the desk. In a few short minutes everyone was checked in and ready to head upstairs to relax, Agnetha felt a severe sense of sadness as she looked at the key in her hand, signifying her separate room, her distance from Bjorn, who was experiencing similar thoughts. Stig was now frenetically checking his watch "Stop wasting time, we've got some filming to do, then a press conference. Asses into gear, chop, chop!" rolling their eyes they headed off into the lift, taking them to floor 7 where they would be staying for the next two nights. Approaching her room Agnetha had a forlorn expression on her lovely face, she really didn't want this, in her heart she yearned to be with Bjorn and not alone. She smiled as he unlocked her door and helped her into the room, as they brought Linda and Christian in to settle down, Bjorn suddenly had a thought "Luggage! Wait there, I'll go and fetch it for us" she smiled, as ever he was taking care of her and their family, she shook her head as she sat on the bed and wondered again about what a stupid mistake she'd made. Outside Bjorn had run into Benny who was also on the way to collect luggage "What are we going to do about Stig Bjorn? We can't let this continue, he's completely unreasonable in every way" Bjorn nodded, he'd had the same thoughts, they had to find a way to regain control from him, to stop him pushing them around "One thing for certain, he has to be put in his place, reminded of the fact that he needs an active group and that if this behaviour continues, we'll go on hiatus..Maybe a permanent one!" Benny grinned, his friend had put his finger exactly on the right approach "I like it! Don't get me wrong, I love ABBA, working with you and the girls, but we don't need him bullying us and the girls. And if we stopped we could write together still, but perhaps sign a contract separately with another record label" Enthused by their idea they headed back upstairs and briefly outlined the idea to the girls, before a familiar voice called them downstairs "Come on, quick let's go!" Stig was fuelled by alcohol and full of bluster, they knew it was useless arguing, he'd never let them settle. Bringing the children with them Agnetha and Bjorn joined their closest friends in heading downstairs, waiting in the doorway for the signal that the transport of snow mobiles was ready for them. Agnetha shivered in the cold, biting wind, a setting sun made it feel extremely cold. Bjorn noticed and pulled her into a hug "Don't suffer, let me warm you up" he smiled to himself as a memory floated into his mind "I seem to recall saying that almost 10 years ago!" she smiled at the memory of filming the very TV special where they fell in love "I remember too, very well" she responded happily, it was such a lovely memory "Would you like warm drink? We could be hanging around for a while it seems" she nodded and within minutes he'd returned with steaming Coffee for each of them and drinking chocolate for the children "Thanks, this hits the spot perfectly" she smiled as the warm drink warmed her considerably, although privately to herself she admitted that it wasn't only the drink that warmed her, it was Bjorn and his gentle, tender affection also. Linda was happily slurping at her drink, making a frightful mess of her face whilst Christian, who was likewise making quite a mess, added his own unique thoughts on the drink they were enjoying "It looks like runny poo!" Cleaning everyone up, transport finally arrived and Bjorn took the little ones over to the snow mobile and made sure they were safely buckled in, Agnetha stood and looked at him, head tilted to her left as she marvelled again at just how much he loved their children, his tenderness towards them and her. She began to let her mind drift to a possible future, a life away from the spotlight, perhaps, hopefully, with Bjorn by her side again, raising their family together as man and wife. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a rough tug at her arm, along with a fierce grip "Ow! Careful" she protested and turned to her right to find it was Stig who was pulling at her "Come on you soppy girl. Get moving, stop moping over him" he began to forcefully pull her towards the waiting vehicles, before stopping suddenly, he leaned close, she could smell whisky on his breath "You know what? Whilst we're here I'm going to find some young, randy, horny ski instructor and get him to give you a good shagging! Perhaps having cock inside you and getting a right good seeing to will cheer you up and stop you mooning after that tosser over there!" she was mortified "How dare you! I won't be treated like this, I'm a Mother, a wife, not a street walker!" Stig sneered "You left him, you're available and in need of some dick! And I'll make sure you get some, you stupid little bitch!" he pulled her again, but was stopped by a firm hand gripping his free arm and spinning him around. He came face to face with Bjorn, an angry Bjorn who proceeded to slap him hard on the cheek with the palm of his right hand. Stig yelped "Ow! Wanker! I'll have you for that!" Bjorn pushed him away, staring into his eyes "Take your hands off her...NOW!!" he released her sheepishly and watched intently as Bjorn stepped closer "I heard what you were saying, you filthy minded, unprincipled excuse for a human being. You'll do no such thing, ever! And if I hear you suggest something like tis again, or if I see you man handle her again, I promise you that the slap you've just got will seem like nothing! I'll happily thump and kick you into the middle of next week!" he grabbed Stig by the lapels "Am I clear?" Stig, who like most bullies was a coward nodded meekly, Bjorn nodded slowly "Apologise, now. Or we go nowhere" Stig turned awkwardly, he was still in Bjorn's grip "Sorry.. sorry. Just...a little joke!" he chuckled, a false chuckle, strictly aimed at placating an angry Bjorn, who Stig knew all too well, could easily thump the living daylights out of him. Bjorn pushed him away with an ominous message "That was your last warning Stig, the very last one" turning away he led Agnetha gently to their waiting snow mobile and everyone set off towards the top of a ski slope, where they would film a segment almost instantly. Bjorn consoled Agnetha who was shocked by Stig's repulsive suggestion "Bjorn he was so horrible! Please, whatever becomes of us, don't let him do this to me. I just couldn't cope with that, being offered to some strange man" she was close to tears, Bjorn pulled her into a warm, loving hug "He will never get a chance, trust me. I'll protect you just like always" Arriving at their destination the biting cold made a bad situation worse, whilst the girls fixed their make up and tended to Benny and Bjorn's also, Linda and Christian were fascinated by the sight of a giant snowman being built in front of their eyes "He's a giant Christian! Look at him" Christian giggled, he had something in mind, something typically naughty! "I see carrot on the floor. Come on Linda, let's play! I know what we can do!" they trotted off and looked around, grown ups were looking elsewhere and left them free to do what they wanted. Linda looked at her little brother as he picked up the carrot "What are you doing with it?" she asked innocently, Christian got a wicked smile on his face and placed the carrot into the nether regions of the snowman "Now he's got a winkie!" he giggled with glee as did his sister who now had an idea of her own! "Let's get a stick, go round the back and draw him a bum!" quickly they found some discarded wood, raced around the back and Linda, aided by her wickedly naughty brother, drew a bottom on the figure, before retreating to a safe distance to watch the results. Moments later the crew came back and burst out laughing "Somebody's given him a dick!" another shouted from behind "He's got an ass as well!" Hearing the laughter as they approached the area where they would be filming Bjorn together with Agnetha smirked, they knew who was behind this particular stunt "I think our little artists have been at work!" smirked Bjorn as Agnetha blushed at their sheer naughtiness. Finally the cameras were ready to roll, the four legendary Swedes took their place, the girls sat on a large log, as Bjorn stood to their left and Benny sat at his keyboard. As the playback began, Agnetha had to work to stop herself from being distracted by the handsome, lovely man beside her, his admiring glances, so full of love did not help, it merely reinforced her desire to try again with him, to not lose the one person who loved her beyond anything else. The director from BBC TV was rather snooty and looked down his nose at pop music, as the song came to an end he sighed theatrically "Okay lovies, let's go again. More enthusiasm darlings, more pizazz!" the girls groaned, they were frozen, still recovering from the days events. Benny and Bjorn were all too aware of this and made their way over to the director, one Julian Dalrymple-Sykes, Bjorn spoke quietly to him "Excuse me, we don't wish to be difficult but I think all four of us, especially the girls need to wrap this up now. We suffered a 'plane crash this morning, had to rush across Sweden to get a flight here and we have a press conference to deal with next" Dalrymple-Sykes sighed again "This is intolerable! I work on The Proms, Classical music, the finest artistes. I will not be addressed in this fashion by a mere pop star and a foreigner at that!" he harrumphed, trying to turn away but found Benny in his path "Look, Julian is it? Have a heart, we have two girls here, freezing cold, having had a terrible day, nearly being killed along with us. This has to end now, no more takes, we need to be in the warm and believe me we're going...Now!" Dalrymple-Sykes rolled his eyes, he was affected, pompous but he could see that these two men were serious and had no intention of more filming "Oh very well. Amateurs! Real artistes perform in all conditions, always. Such intolerable conduct. That's a wrap everyone, apparently it's too cold for these hardened Scandinavians. Let's head to the bar for a few stiff snifters!" and with that he swaggered off, followed by his minions who were as idiotic as he was! Benny shook his head to his best friend "What a wally! Is he serious?" Bjorn laughed "I think so. He's what the Brits call a prat!" They collected the girls and the kids and happily headed down to the warmth of the hotel, but as they stepped inside for some brief peace they knew things would soon get even hotter as they faced the media....