Page 131 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘Monsieur Tanit?’ she gasped, struggling to work out if the haggard man with the beard in her lobby was really me. I nodded, and she hurriedly picked up the phone. Eric Kohler came running out of his office in disbelief, before pulling me inside.

‘Atlas! Where on earth have you been, man?! What was the one thing I begged of you at the start of this process? Not to disappear from the face of the earth! And you, my friend, saw fit to do just that. Really, I’ve a mind to pass you on to a new younger lawyer, for the Tanit family will be the death of me—’

I held my hand up so that Eric would stop talking. ‘Elle. Has she been in contact with you?’

‘No,’ he continued angrily. ‘She certainly has not. Now, you’ve got a great deal of explaining to do, not least to the Swiss Citizenship Bureau, who have been holding your application for two years. Atlas, where have you been?’ I sank into the sofa at the back of the room and told the lawyer my tale of heartbreak and Australia. Eric listened intently, but was unsatisfied. ‘I’m sorry to hear all that, Atlas, but what on earth possessed you to make for Australia in the first place? If you wanted a change, why not return to the country of your birth, with your citizenship and your fortune?!’ I remembered that at no point had I informed Eric about Kreeg, and I was too exhausted to do so at this moment.

‘I’m going to visit the Hoffmans to see that all is well with the children. Please would you telephone ahead?’

He sighed. ‘That sounds fine, and I’m sure they would be happy to receive you. Georg in particular is doing very well. In fact, we have become firm friends, as he shadows me onceper week. He has a fine brain, and wishes to become a lawyer.’

‘In which case, I can sack you and hire him!’ I mumbled.

‘Well, perhaps one day. But Atlas...’

‘Yes, Eric?’

‘I know that you’re still my client, and I don’t wish to speak out of turn. But it might be an idea to have a cold shower first. Perhaps a shave too. And make sure to drink plenty of water. Remember, you are a saviour to these children.’ He looked at me sternly. ‘Do not sully their view of their guardian angel.’

Eric Kohler’s words hit home. ‘Very well. I will go first thing tomorrow. Please ring my hotel later to let me know if that suits the Hoffmans. I’m at the Beau Rivage.’

‘As you wish, Mr Tanit.’ Eric gestured towards the door.

I crept back to the hotel steeped in shame, and didn’t touch a drop of alcohol all night. The next morning, I took a cab to Agatha’s tall town house, still easily identifiable by the pink paint that coated the exterior. The inhabitants greeted me very warmly.

‘Thank you for coming back, Mr Tanit! Mr Kohler tells us how busy you are, with all your businesses,’ Mrs Hoffman exclaimed. I realised that Eric had clearly chosen to share a lie with the family so as not to upset the children. A pang of guilt coursed through me. ‘Georg and Claudia will be so happy to see you!’

‘Do you have everything you need, Mrs Hoffman?’ I asked. ‘I want to make sure you’re not a penny out of pocket.’

She nodded enthusiastically. ‘Absolutely, thank you, Mr Tanit. Agatha would be very, very proud of your philanthropy. It’s in your genes.’

The children welcomed me like a long-lost uncle. I was taken aback at how much both had grown in the years I hadbeen away, forgetting that they were in their formative shape-shifting phase. The Hoffmans had clearly insisted that the pair dress up for the arrival of their benefactor, and I was flooded with remorse that I had not been more present in their lives.

‘Hello, Mr Tanit!’ Georg said in a broken voice, now nearly meeting my eyeline as he shook my hand.

‘Goodness gracious. Is this young Georg, or his father?!’ I said in an attempt at humour, before remembering the fate that had befallen his parents. Georg saw my mortification, and he smiled kindly.

‘You remember my sister Claudia, too?’ He signalled towards the young girl, who was also noticeably taller, but with the same sweet face I remembered from before.

‘Nice to see you again, Mr Tanit.’ She curtseyed. ‘My brother and I really cannot thank you enough for your kindness.’

‘It’s very nice to see you too, Claudia. There is no need to thank me. It is Mr and Mrs Hoffman who you need to be grateful to. Are you both enjoying life in Geneva?’ They nodded heartily. ‘And how are your studies?’

‘Mine are going very well, thank you, Mr Tanit,’ Georg replied.

‘I hear you have been visiting Mr Kohler. He says you wish to be a lawyer?’

Georg shuffled where he stood. ‘It has become a dream of mine, yes. I wish to influence the way the world runs so that people may live a fairer existence.’

His words brought a smile to my face. ‘I cannot think of anything more noble or appropriate. I am happy for you, Georg. Make sure you pursue your dream with your whole heart.’

‘I will, Mr Tanit.’ He hesitated, and looked to Mrs Hoffman in the corner of the room, who seemed to give him a sterngaze in return. ‘But Mr Kohler says that the fees for universities and law schools are very high.’

‘Georg!’ cried Mrs Hoffman. ‘Mr Tanit has been here no more than five minutes, and you have the audacity to pester him for more money, when he already funds your entire existence!’

I chuckled. ‘Please, no need to shout, Mrs Hoffman. A lawyer must be brave, resourceful and ask leading questions. I believe young Georg managed all three simultaneously.’ I raised my eyebrows.

‘I promise to return the money one day,’ Georg said. ‘Every penny!’