by Ian Berry
“Jeff, you are wonderful.”
“Only doing my job. One further thing. See if you can collect Rio from school and go to see Archie. Tell him exactly what’s going on. He’ll bite your hand off.”
“He will?”
“What sells papers, Saskia? The advertising? No. What sells papers are the news stories. Just at the moment the Saskias are news, after last week. Archie will bite your hand off, trust me.”
Saskia sent Rio a text to ring us at her earliest convenience. That convenience turned out to be what I took to be lunchtime - but it couldn’t be, it was too late.
“Rio? What are you doing? You shouldn’t ring during lessons,” said Saskia.
“We’ve got Games - at least most of them have - not me.”
“Ah. So you’re ... you’ve ... it’s ...”
“Yes Saskia. Girly things,” laughed Rio. “I get to sit around. They’ll not mind the odd phone call.”
“Good. Did you speak to Dan about next Sunday?”
“Yes! It’s brilliant! Dan wants to write, so Mr. Spencer is letting him write the piece and I’ve got to do the pictures.”
“That’s wonderful, dear. Er - I’m afraid it’s escalated a bit. You know how we helped you? Will you help us help somebody else?”
“Oh Saskia! Payback time! Anything!”
“Right. Can you arrange to let us pick you up from school and come with us to the newspaper office and talk to Archie - Mr. Spencer? Tell your mum we’ll push a McDonalds or something down you at some point.”
“Ok. Ring you back in a bit.”
The ‘bit’ was less than five minutes. “All sorted. Come and get me and I’m yours to command.”
“Thanks Rio. Make sure the school know who’s collecting you. Don’t want to be chased by police cars thinking we’ve abducted you.”
“No chance of that. Everybody knows who drives the white mini. We call it the Saskiamobile.”
Saskia was still laughing as she pressed ‘end’. “Saskiamobile - honestly!”
“That’s schoolgirls for you,” I grinned. “Anyway, we now have a crisis to confront.”
“Crisis, Twin?”
“Ok, maybe not your actual crisis as such, but we need to tell James what we’re up to. It’s one thing to skip out of work to save the world as the other two, it’s quite another to go help others as ourselves.”
“Mm, see what you mean. Think he’ll be ok?”
“Let’s go find out.”
James listened to our story. He surprised us by his reply. “I remember at the first charity auction you were at. Saskia over there took the microphone and made a speech. In it she said, ‘We have only one thing to give. Ourselves.’ I’ve watched you over the years since. You’ve never stopped giving yourselves. I have no objection. Go and do what you feel you need to do. I’ve had my turn, now it’s Barry Grenville’s turn. Go and shine your lights into his corner.”
“James, it’s always your turn,” said Saskia.
“I know that,” he said softly. “Now go, before you start to cry - before I start to cry.”
“James, we will see you later,” I said. “Here is neither suitable nor appropriate.”
“I take the ‘later’ to mean a big hug and a kiss?” asked Saskia as we walked away from James office.
“Yes. Are you with me on this?”
“One hundred and ten percent.”
“Need to ring your dad and let him know we’ll not be home for tea.”
“I’ll do it.”
While she did that, I rang Barry. “Hi again, Barry. Can you hang on at the circuit this evening?” Then a better idea. “No - can we meet you in that pub at the crossroads where you turn down the road to the circuit. Say seven o’clock? Brilliant. We’ll see you there.”
Saskia’s call to Rob had taken just a few moments. She’d listened to most of my conversation with Barry. “I hope Rio’s up for a rush round today. Can’t keep her out too late, she’ll have homework.”
“If necessary we can help her with that.”
“True.”
We left the plant quite early in order to collect Rio. As we passed Petra on Reception, Saskia said, “Out for the rest of the day. Got a mission.”
“Going to save the world again?”
“How did you know we do that? Supposed to be secret.”
Petra was confused for a moment. “Oh you two! Can you not be serious for two minutes together? I’ll see you tomorrow. If anybody asks, you’ve left the country, ok?”
“That’ll do nicely, Petra,” I said. “See you later.”
At Rio’s school, Saskia parked up outside the gates to wait. Served us right really, we were surrounded within minutes. Luckily Rio arrived quite quickly.
“Hey you lot! Knock it off. Leave them alone. We’ve got important stuff to see to. You’ll hear about it soon enough.”
There was a chorus of “Yes Rio,” and “Ok, Rio,” and I’m sure I heard at least one, “Sorry Rio”. Rio jumped in the back and Saskia and I got back in. As she started the engine, the crowd obediently parted, like the Red Sea in front of Moses, and we drove away. Rio was wearing a silly grin.
“I enjoyed that,” she said.
“Do I detect that you are currently Miss Popular at your school?” asked Saskia.
“And the rest! You won’t believe ...”
“Oh, I think I might,” laughed Saskia, obviously remembering her own experiences when it became know she was personal friend of James Robinson and the SuperTwins.
“Right, Rio,” I said. “Don’t suppose you have much idea what’s going on?”
“Not a lot.”
“We’re going to help the chap who runs the race circuit increase his business, using a bit of PR. Your task will be to provide the pictures for our campaign. We’re going to a meeting with Archie and Dan to see what they think.”
“Ok. I’m sure I’ll find out details as we go along.”
In Archie’s office, we put our case. “Business must be slow for Barry, he says he can’t afford to advertise our little race on Sunday,” I said. “I don’t want you to just give him advertising, that won’t really help - and anyway I think he’d be too proud to accept.”
“But you have an idea don’t you? I can tell,” grinned Archie.
“A PR campaign,” said Saskia. “Rather than advertising, which let’s face it, doesn’t sell papers, we thought a series of news pieces, leading up to an article on the race itself after the event. You could look at it this way - and I’m quoting Saskia here - ‘Two beautiful young girls, pitted against each other in fast racing cars. Competing against each other to uphold the honour of their respective families. Figure hugging overalls, long hair shaken out when the helmets come off. Posing against a backdrop of a racing circuit’.”
“You’ve convinced me already,” laughed Archie. “What do you want to do? Countdown campaign?”
“Exactly,” I said. “You should know that it’s not our idea. Jeff Bailey suggested it.”
“Big of you to admit it. You could have just taken the credit.” He turned to Dan. “You want to do it? You and that new photographer you admire so much?”
Rio wriggled in her chair, part embarrassment, part pride. Dan was speaking.
“Yes, I’d love a go at it. The words might end up rubbish but at least the pictures will be good.”
Rio was blushing now as Archie said, “I’ll help you, you’re not that bad. Now, details. First edition to carry it will be tomorrow afternoon. I know Dan can do the words, he’s got all tomorrow morning. What about pictures? Too late tonight, it’s getting dark already.”
Without hesitation, Rio said, “Early tomorrow morning. The light just after dawn is wonderful. Best time of the day for photographs. Planning tonight,
shooting in the morning. Then I go to school and the Saskias bring you the memory stick with the pictures. Dan can sort them and match them to his words. Be ok d’you think?”
“Dawn’s around six at this time of year,” said Saskia. “You all right with that?”
“Mm. I often get up that early and go take pictures. No problem.”
“One last thing,” I said. “I’m afraid we’ve told the telly what’s happening. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” said Archie. “All they can do is watch you go round the circuit. I happen to know that the still pictures that can be done will be much more impressive. I’m happy with that. Besides, the TV report won’t actually air properly until after the first edition hits the streets. It’ll be ok.”
The three of us took our leave of Archie and Dan. Rio gave Dan a kiss, then dropped her eyes to look at the ground blushing furiously. I thought very hard about what I wanted to happen. Dan put his hand on Rio’s arm, then used his other hand to lift her face to look at him. He just smiled at her but the sun came out on Rio’s face as she smiled back.
Back in the mini, we headed back into the town. As promised, we hit McDonalds to feed Rio up. Then it was off to the designated pub.
“Sure I’m allowed in here?” asked Rio.
“Don’t worry. We’re not going to give you alcohol. We don’t touch the stuff anyway,” grinned Saskia.
Barry was waiting. He stood up as we approached the table he’d nabbed.
“All a bit mysterious, Saskias. What are you planning?”
“All in good time, Barry,” said Saskia. “First, meet Rio Ashworth. She’s our photographer.” Rio and Barry shook hands.
“Right, Barry,” said Saskia. “We’re going to advertise using PR, not money.”
Barry looked confused so I continued. “Instead of you paying money to advertise our little event on Sunday, we’re going to bill it as a news story, one bit each day until the grand finale on Sunday.”
“Saskia came up with a way to think about it,” said Saskia, “and I quote, ‘Two beautiful young girls, pitted against each other in fast racing cars. Competing against each other to uphold the honour of their respective families. Figure hugging overalls, long hair shaken out when the helmets come off. Posing against a backdrop of a racing circuit’.”
“Blimey. Sounds exciting.”
“And if you think that, then so will lots of other people. See what we’re trying to do?”
“Yes, I suppose. But why?”
Rio got there first. “Because it’s what they do. They help people who need it, who can’t work out how to do stuff for themselves. I have personal experience.”
“Barry, you helped us without question when we asked you. You gave us a donation without thinking about it. Now it’s your turn.”
“But - how can you spend all this time? Don’t you have to work?”
“We work for Sir James Robinson. It wasn’t really us asked you for a donation, it was him, through us. He’s quite happy for us to do this, his way of a little help without your pride getting in the way.”
Barry thought about this. “In that case, if Sir James wants his company logo visible or anything else like that then it’s his for the asking.”
“Thank you, Barry,” I said. “We’ll be sure to tell him but I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“Oh I don’t know,” said Saskia. “ Robinson Corporation written on our overalls, hat’s with the logo on. Worth money that is. Leave that with us Barry. I take your offer as a formal proposal.”
While Barry was still looking a little shell-shocked, I began to tell him details.
“Your bit is to organise the event. We’ll do pretty much anything - except actually race against each other. Against the clock only. Were you told why I don’t want to join your Club? Good. Then you’ll know why. Anyway, make sure the timing system’s running so we can use the transponders. Do you have a large laptime clock in the pits or somewhere?”
“Yes there are a couple in the paddock as well. Er -I’m sorry about your uncle.”
“Don’t worry. I promised myself I’d never race against another person and certainly not somebody I have any feelings for. Against the clock is another thing altogether.”
Saskia had been watching me closely. When she saw I wasn’t going to have a fit or anything, she nodded slightly and moved us on.
“That’s for you to organise, Barry. Our bit is to set up the PR. Rio is here to take pictures for the advance publicity. I know we can’t do it tonight but we can have a quick look. How are you at getting up in the morning?”
“What? Er - ok I suppose,” stammered Barry.
“Good. Dawn tomorrow for the photos. We’ll scrounge a couple of your sets of overalls tonight and sort them out for tomorrow if that’s ok. We’ll need two of the cars out.”
“Ok. I’ll get Arthur to sort that. He seems to have a soft spot for the pair of you. He’ll come and do it.”
“He remembers Uncle Richie. He was there on - that day. He’ll be ok.”
“You ok, Twin?” whispered Saskia.
“Yeah. I’ll survive. Can I have a cuddle later?”
“My pleasure.”
I continued without an apparent break. “We intend to send a Press Release to the telly people. It’ll include a copy of that DVD you sent us for the auction. Is that ok? No copyright issues? We can restrict it to News Access if you like.”
“No, no. It’s yours to do what you want with.”
“Right. A quick look round the circuit for Rio if we can, blag a couple of pairs of overalls and we’ll leave you alone until tomorrow morning.”
We all piled into the cars and Barry led the way down the access road to the circuit. The place was deserted so Rio could go where she liked. We left her to look around with stern warnings about getting lost. She smiled and waved her mobile phone. Barry led the way into the offices.
“Got some brand-new overalls here. Smallest size seemed to fit you ok last time. These any good?”
We said yes, thank you very much and went to collect Rio. She’d been busy taking pictures on her phone ‘to look at later’. Leaving Barry to his arrangements, Saskia and I took Rio home. We left her to explain to her mum and dad, with agreement to collect her at six tomorrow morning.
Back at home, we explained to Rob, then retired upstairs to check the overalls. As I’d expected, they may have been ‘small’ but they still fit us like sacks. That we could deal with.
As I watched, Saskia changed to be wearing the overalls. The effect of this was to make them fit her properly. I thought the bit about figure-hugging in my oft-quoted speech about two beautiful young girls was going to come true at least. I changed as well. We stood and looked at each other through the mirror.
“Going to be a hit, you and me,” said Saskia.
“What about the Corporation name and stuff?” I asked. “Might please James a bit.”
“Hm. Like this?” She changed again. Now there was the Robinson name and logo embroidered above her right breast - and she was wearing a red cap, which matched the overalls, with the logo on the front of it. It was tipped back slightly at a jaunty angle so it didn’t shadow her face. She looked great.
“That’s brilliant,” I said. “Another detail. Put your name, just Hunt, above the other breast.”
She did this. I changed as well, but I had my name and the Robinson name on the opposite side to Saskia.
“Left and right again. Clever you,” she said. “I like the names thing.”
“Thank you. One tries.”
“Well one’s bloody well succeeded. You asked for a cuddle. I have a large supply, brand new, just in. Would you like to check the suitability?”
We moved together into a hug, naturally this included a kiss. After a little wh
ile I released her. “Not sure about that one. Can I try a different one? You said you had a large supply?”
“Of course. If you step this way - oh, you have done.” Another cuddle was administered, together with associated kiss. I felt much better.
Tuesday. Rio’s right about the light around dawn. It is better. I suppose that’s because it’s nice and new, not old and worn out like the light at dusk. Rio, being a clever-cloggs, knew why it actually was different.
“First thing in the morning it’s cooler. There’s less water vapour in the air and a bit less dust. The light is sort of bluer, the colour temperature is higher - technical stuff, don’t worry. In the evening the light is redder and has to pass through more dust and water. The air is warmer so there’s more refraction. Some people prefer it like that. I like it now, at dawn.”
She had a point. It was really pleasant. I’d never thought about it before, but now Rio’d pointed it out, I could see what she was banging on about.
At the circuit, Rio was introduced to Arthur. Two of the little cars had been wheeled out and even polished. I found myself wondering what time Arthur’d got there. We left them discussing where Rio wanted them and escaped to the Ladies to change. Rather than struggle putting the overalls on, we just changed to be wearing them, then changed to not be holding the original ones in the plastic bags. Sounded long winded and complicated, but it took only a couple of seconds.
Rio referred to her mobile phone to check where to stand, then the session began. She had us get into the cars which she’d had parked nose to nose in a sort of ‘V’ shaped formation. Then we stood next to the cars, first on the outside of the ‘V’, then on the inside. We held helmets, then we didn’t. It all seemed a bit chaotic but I knew Rio had a plan.
There were pictures taken without the cars. Of each of us in turn, then together. The together ones were the most fun. Rio has us glare at each other with our noses almost touching. Luckily she did this quickly because we began to laugh and then couldn’t glare at each other again without bursting out laughing. When she showed us what she’d done, the best one I thought was of the pair of us in identical poses leaning on each other at an angle of about forty five degrees facing outwards but with heads turned looking at the camera. We had our arms folded and slight smiles on our faces. I wanted a copy of that to frame and give to Rob.