by nita dee
disclaimer: "the replacements" belong to dan santat and walt disney productions.
chapter three: england swings
early wednesday morning, todd and riley daring were awakened by the jolly sounds of their father singing an old roger miller song from the 1960's called "england swings".
"enggy-land swings like a pendulum do bobbies on bicycles two by two westminister abbey, the tower big ben the rosie red checks of the little children."
riley jumped out of bed and smiled.
"dad must have gotten some good news about mom.." riley said as she ran out of her bedroom, barely getting her feet into her rainbow jumper unicorn bedroom slippers as she ran out the door.
todd was already halfway down the stairs when riley caught up with him.
"dad!" both children cried in unison "did you get good news about mom??"
dick stopped singing. his face was sad but he managed to put on a smile for his children.
"hello, riley..hello, todd! guess what! gramma and grampa want us to pay them a visit in england so i've asked conrad fleem if we could use his private jet to fly over in." dick said, faking happiness.
"what about camp and todd's summer school classes?" riley asked.
"who cares?!" todd exclaimed.
"i called the camp and the school and explained we have a family emergency. the camp said abby would cover for you, riley. and todd can make up his work when we get back." dick said. "i also have the stable where we board prince cinnamon boots at when we go on vacation coming out in a little bit to take the mule for a few days."
"when do we leave?" todd asked, ready for some fun.
"as soon as i can get things together. the plane is already at the pleasant hills airport waiting on us." dick said.
"this is the first time we've gone to england in a plane, dad.
car usually flies us over." riley said.
"and car usually threatened to dump you in the atlantic ocean when you'd sing that stupid "england swings" song..'k, i don't care if you do love him, one more verse and he's out!'" todd said, mimicking carter's strict voice.
"oh my..that car! you know the mechanics over at british intelligence are already building him a new body? they can take care of a machine but they let a human being rot in some tiny country waiting for her execution..." dick said. his mood changed from somewhat happy to angry.
"dad..has there been any more news about mom?" riley asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"that is why we are going to england. apparently all britain can do in k's defense is send a strongly worded letter asking the raja and the country of b'ajei to hold off on her execution until diplomatic sources can discuss it with them. and the prime minister has already given k's parents the "line of duty" speech. if conrad fleem's efforts fail today..i don't know what will happen next." dick said.
the strain of the past week was telling on dick. he was gant and pale and actually seemed to have lost a little weight.
"don't worry dad..if anyone can fix this thing, it's conrad fleem and fleemco." todd said as riley hugged her dad.
dick smiled at the kids. k would be so proud of how well they were handling the crisis.
"get upstairs and get packed! we're going to england." dick said.
