Those two new girls took quite a long time with their bath, but I must admit, they did need one. This was their first hot bath since their mother died over a year ago. Their father would not allow them to bath except for a quick dip in the river when the weather was nice. They did have 3 brothers, in between the two girls, but they went on the river last winter before the ice was thick enough and fell through.

Their father would not try to rescue them so they were all carried under the ice, never to be seen again. The older girl’s name is Honey Lexandra, the younger sister’s name is Agata Flower. Their last name is Johannson. They were quite excited to hear that Jennifer’s name is also Johannson. We are in the northern part of Sweden right now.

Honey came to me and got on her knees begging me not to send Agata to an orphanage, she would look after her and they both would work very hard for us if we would let them live with us. Sky looked at me, tears rolling down her cheeks. Sigh. I promised Honey that Agata would not be sent to an orphanage and they would be able to stay together, and with us, at least for a while.

Aasta was translating for us and Sky whispered something to Aasta which she told Honey. Honey looked at Sky who shook her head “yes” and Honey jumped onto my lap and gave me a big hug. Agata was still a bit nervous about getting too close to me. I then went into the bathroom and checked around the edge of the medicine cabinet until I found a button, which I pushed.

The whole medicine cabinet opened away from the wall and behind it was a small monitor which turned on immediately. A funny looking little cartoon character showed up. “Hi, my name is BB, is this a casual, important or emergency call?” “Emergency,” I said. “Then please touch my head.” I did so and BB disappeared and in a few seconds Mandar showed up on the screen.

“What is wrong Steve?” he asked. “We have a big problem,” I said, “Lauren found us, quite by accident, by coming to your neighbors by the river.” “Oh yes, a nice little family,” he said. I then filled him in on that family and he was quite angry at the news.

“You will have some help before nightfall,” said Mandar, “but I cannot get you out before tomorrow afternoon, someone fooled around with my helicopters and I will have to send new ones in to pick you up.” “Do not forget we have those two extra girls with us as well,” I said, “we are not leaving them behind.” “Oh my, no, of course not my good man,” he said, “you will bring them with you indeed.

You have bedrooms not being used and I am sure those girls can be useful to you.” Hmm, I notice he did not suggest looking after the girls. I wonder if Agata has ever been to school? On that note, Penny has actually done some teaching. But for now we need a plan in case Lauren’s friends show up before Mandar’s helicopters show up.

I do not wish to be caught cornered in this house with no way out, they could easily burn the place down. I wonder how well these girls know the area? While we were eating Muffin came into the kitchen. Meow,meow!=Chop chop come! We all went outside to watch for the helicopter, except for Sky, Aasta and the two girls.

It was one of Mandar’s helicopters and it landed, unloading 6 passengers and then taking off immediately. It was Matt and his team. They had been waiting in a nearby town just in case they were needed. Bridgette was with them which is good, in case someone gets wounded, though I hope that does not happen.

Honey and Agata were afraid when they saw more men, but Aasta assured them they were our friends and had come to help us in case Lauren’s friends come looking for us in the morning. Agata was sitting on the floor next to my chair playing with the cats and Sky was sitting on my lap watching her. Then Tiia began talking to Agata in Swedish and Agata looked up at me, so I smiled.

She asked Aasta to come over and whispered to her. “Agata wants to know how you can speak Swedish through Tiia, but not when you are talking directly to her,” said Aasta chuckling. Sky got down and put Agata on my lap and then Tiia. Aasta said to watch my lips while Tiia talked. I kept my lips firmly closed, but Agata was not convinced.

She knows cats cannot talk, so I must be doing it because I was closest. “Maybe Sky is doing it,” I told her. But Sky said no, it was me. For some reason Agata believed Sky instead of me. Then Sky, through Aasta, explained that our cats can actually talk and since Tiia belonged to Astrid, who is Swedish, then she also knows how to speak Swedish.

Agata was not quite sure about that one, but she stopped asking, for now at least. Tiia and Snow slept with Agata that night which really thrilled her. In the morning we had pancakes for breakfast, the girls had never had our kind of pancakes before and they loved them. Meow,meow!=Me hear flying vroom, vroom! That is Muffin’s way of saying a plane is coming, and that means Lauren’s friends have come…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.