LOVE, LOSS, LEYSIN LOOKING

FACING THE MUSIC Chapter 11

It was a nervous feeling for Agnetha and also for Bjorn. They had quickly changed and with Stig hurrying everyone along they were now awaiting a moment both had been dreading. They were about to face the media for the first time since their impending divorce was announced publicly and both knew that this most private and painful process would be the focus of attention with the awaiting journalists, putting them firmly and fully in the glare of the spotlight. Bjorn could both sense and see the unease rising in Agnetha and sought to offer his help and support, he moved closer to her, close enough to speak in a low, quiet voice "Look, I know how hard this is on you. In truth I'm dreading this myself. We both know what the questions are going to revolve around, you and I. But, if you feel it's getting too much, if you're uncomfortable just look at me, nudge me under the table and I'll get us out of it okay. Besides, we have a perfect excuse to leave early, we have kids to get to sleep. I'll get us away as quick s I can, I promise you that and in any case, I'll be there, right beside you, helping all I can" she smiled, he was so sweet, so gentle, so loving towards her, how she regretted her choice "Thanks Bjorn, really, thanks. I really don't want to do this, I just know it's going to be awful. But knowing you're there will help" she hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to ask him something she'd been thinking about, but after a brief doubt decided to ask him a personal favour "I have a favour to ask, a personal favour if you don't mind" he shook his head gently "Of course I don't. What's on your mind?" she smiled weakly, briefly looking away in an attempt to hide any blushes that may cover her gorgeous face, she turned towards him again, seeing his handsome face studying her intently "It's like this. I'm really scared about this, about what's going to happen. Will you, could you, hold my hand, underneath the desk? Not all the time, just if I nudge you, for a little support. I'll understand if you say no, I mean I'm the one to blame for all of this" he placed his finger gently on her lips, signalling for her silence with a smile "I will most definitely hold your hand whenever you need me. I'll be honoured, proud, privileged to do so. And no, you are not to blame, never have been. It's all on me okay?" she smiled, relieved to know he would be there when needed. Suddenly Stig came scurrying into view, he eyed Bjorn suspiciously, the earlier threat and slap clear in his mind "Let's go. Come on, move it, they're waiting" he smirked for a moment, revelling in the chance to exact some revenge on Bjorn and Agnetha "And you two, give 'em a good show! I've told them no questions are off limit, that you'll answer anything. So, let's make tgis one to remember, any dirty secrets can come out, give the public some scandal! They love that!" he went to walk away, a smug grin on his face but felt a strong hand on his arm, turning to find Bjorn gripping him roughly "You are an ignorant, unfeeling, inhuman monster! You're actually revelling in our heart break. Well, let me tell you something, I don't care what you've arranged or what grubby deal you've done with some of these people. We will not furnish them, or you with what you call juicy scandal. For a start there isn't any and I object strongly to whatever you're up to. And don't forget what I told you earlier, I'd be only too happy to teach you a lesson you won't forget!" he shoved Stig away, sending him stumbling and moving away rapidly. Bjorn had felt Agnetha tense up beside him, he took her hand and gently squeezed it to try and reassure her "Don't worry, I'll look after you". The moment had come and they took their seats at a table, facing many journalists, cameras, TV crews. As expected many questions were directed at their private situation, Bjorn did his best to deflect attention away, to protect Agnetha, but the questions were relentless, probing, prying, making her feel uncomfortable, twice she reached over and nudged his thigh under the table and felt his hand take hers. An Australian journalist, named "Scoop" Hughes had been waiting, a smug smirk on his face, Stig had primed him with a suggestion for a question, an idea he'd already conjured up and was only too happy to go along with the idea, in exchange for cash. He stood, a cowboy hat perched on his head, unshaven and with a filthy look on his face "Barry "Scoop" Hughes, Sydney Herald. Got a question for Anna if you don't mind sweetheart" Agnetha smiled "Okay" she replied as calmly as she could, Hughes smirked and looked around at everyone present "Well darling, fair to say you're one fine looking piece of ass! So, what I'm wondering and all the other blokes here and everywhere else are wondering is this. Since you split from Bjorn recently are you getting any?" laughter filled the room, his vulgar question amused people, Agnetha was confused, she didn't understand his meaning "Sorry, getting any what?" she asked innocently, more giggles followed. Hughes was happily grinning in a vulgar manner "I mean sex! What I'm asking is this. Are you getting shagged by anyone? Any randy Swede giving you some dick? Or are you waiting for a leg over with a ski instructor? Personally I'm quite happy to give you a seeing to if you'd like!" he emphasised his disgusting suggestion with some pelvic thrusts as people roared their approval. Agnetha blushed and looked to Bjorn who grabbed her hand gently beneath the table, she took a breath "I don't think that's an appropriate question. I'm a Mother of two children, I don't behave in that fashion" she hoped this would silence him, but he happily, smugly continued "Oh come on sweetheart. We all love sex, we all want it! Hell, you've had it, 'cause you've got two kids! So, let us know, you getting a good ram from anybody?" laughter filled the air, as he grabbed his crotch suggestively. Bjorn had seen and heard enough, he fixed Hughes with a stare that momentarily silenced the brash reporter "You've been told that this kind of question is not suitable, appropriate. Agnetha is not a street walker, not an escort, she is a Mother, Mother of my children, our children. She deserves respect, far more than you've seen fit to give her. Now kindly sit down, be quiet or I'll have you removed from the list of approved reporters and sent on your way. In spite of what some people may have told you!" he glanced over to Stig who was squirming, trying to avoid eye contact, Hughes, humiliated, went to sit down but was topped when Bjorn spoke again, just for a moment "Apologise, please. Now! Hughes blushed, crushed and mumbled an apology. The atmosphere sank and shortly after, at Bjorn's whispered suggestion he and Agnetha excused themselves to put their children to bed. As they moved away from view Agnetha burst into tears, Bjorn quickly and gently took her into his arms "It's okay, it's all over now" he gently reassured her, listening as she sobbed into his chest "I hated that, hated every moment. All they want is to talk about our private life, to pry, dig for scandal. I don't want this life Bjorn, I want out, as soon as I can!" Bjorn had known she felt this way, he'd felt it from her before, her desire to walk away from the spotlight "Someday, someday we'll do just that. We'll leave all of this behind, fade away" she listened closely to him, inside her hopes began to rise, but for now she was struggling to get over the ordeal they'd suffered moments before "That Australian journalist was so vulgar! I was so embarrassed to be asked that kind of thing. What does he think I am? A whore!" Bjorn had been angered by that moment, he knew Stig had played a part in this and intended getting to the bottom of it "Ignore him, he's a crude, vulgar sensation seeker. And I think a certain manager of our's played a part. And before you say it, no I won't lose my temper, but I will sort this out!" she calmed, once again he'd reassured her, made her feel safe, now she felt up to tending to Linda and Christian, who were with Gorel whilst they had faced the press. They casually strolled into the dining room, which the hotel had allowed them to use to occupy the kids. They spotted Gorel, sitting at a table with Linda and standing just in front was Christian, who was entertaining guest star Kate Bush in his own unique style! As they got near they could see Kate kneeling in front of Christian, who was chattering away as best he could, they came within earshot and were close enough to witness his latest naughty stunt "Kate, this is my willy! I do pee pee's through it!" Kate's eyes widened as his trousers and nappy came down around his ankles , giving her an unexpected view! She blushed as he giggled "What a little charmer you are! You're going to be popular with girls when you grow up!" she smiled, amused by his sheer naughtiness, Christian shook his head "I don't like girls, I like boys! We talk about poo, willies, wee wee, sick and snot!" Kate laughed, as at that moment Bjorn and Agnetha came to him and crouched down at his level. Agnetha suppressed a smile as she spoke to her mischievous Son "Little man, how many times have I got to tell you to keep your trousers and nappy pulled up? I'm sure Kate didn't want to see what you've been showing her!" he giggled as his Mother pulled his garments back up and into proper place. Bjorn had stopped himself smiling as he eyed his naughty little boy "Nice, good little boys don't go around dropping their trousers and flashing. I want you to say sorry to Kate, like a good boy" grinning wickedly Christian turned back towards Kate "Sorry Kate, for showing you my willy!" Kate smirked "Oh that's alright Christian. You made me laugh so much!" Bjorn smiled and Agnetha whispered to her little boy "Go and give her a little kiss, to say sorry" Christian nodded and kissed Kate on the cheek, causing her to smile again. They finally got the kids together and Agnetha and Bjorn felt the need to apologise for their Son and his antics "Kate, Bjorn and I are so sorry about Christian. he's full of mischief I'm afraid!" "Agnetha's right Kate. We're really sorry if he offended you, he seems to delight in being naughty...and a little bit rude!" Kate laughed happily "Oh no, don't apologise. he's only having fun and he did make me laugh!" Putting them both to bed, they returned downstairs where they rejoined Benny and Frida who were both appalled by the press conference. As the late evening progressed Benny and Frida headed to the dance floor, whilst Agnetha went to check on the Children as she so often did. Content that they were both safe and well, she returned downstairs, finding the table they had been sitting at empty. She sat and looked around for Bjorn and watched in horror as she saw him leave the room with Boney M singer Elizabeth Mitchell, smiling happily. All her fears seemed to be coming true, Bjorn had hooked up with another girl and Agnetha's World came crashing down around her. The pain was too much and she curled up into a ball and began to cry, bitter tears, her heart shredded "Oh my God! he's hooked up with Liz, they're going to sleep together! I've lost him forever! After everything he's been saying, it's all for nothing. he's finding someone else, I'm alone. I'll never win him back, Liz will satisfy him in a way I never could. Now, he belongs to her and I'm so sad!" all these thoughts echoed through her mind, she was completely oblivious to the World around her, tightly curled into a ball, her head on her knees which she had drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her own legs. Nobody seemed to notice, or pay attention and for several minutes she sat there sobbing, breaking her heart, tormented by what was happening upstairs. Bjorn came back to the room and he momentarily stopped as he witnessed her situation "What on Earth?" he said to himself and hurried over to her side. gently he touched her arm "Hey, what's wrong?" she heard his voice and her head shot up and she looked in disbelief, he was there, with her! "B..Bjorn! I..I thought you'd gone off with Liz to...well..you know. Why are you here?" he noticed the tears in her eyes and shook his head, his heart ached to see her so hurt, so confused "Listen to me. I wasn't going to stay with Liz at anytime. She's been bothered by a couple of guys, including that Australian animal. So she asked if I could escort her upstairs, keep her safe. And that's what I did, nothing else. She's a nice girl Liz, she's getting married next month. And just so you know, I'm not interested in her or anyone else. Only you, always" she reached out and wrapped him in a tight and warm embrace, kissing his cheek gently "Sorry I'm so jealous. I've no right to be I know. but when i saw you leave it really hit me. i should have trusted you" he smiled again an stroked her hair "I think I can forgive you, don't you? Come on, let's say goodnight to Benny and Frida and get some rest. it's been one hell of a day!" The following day would also be eventful, although they didn't know that just yet....