Page 154 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘Yeees,’ she replied.

I tipped her chin up to meet my eyes. ‘Would you like a little sister?’

I felt Marina’s hand drop from my shoulder, but Maia’s tiny face lit up. ‘A sister? For me?’

‘That’s right.’ I smiled. ‘Just for you.’ Maia looked up at Marina, and I followed her gaze. She stood quizzically above me, hand on her hip.

‘Will she live in Ma’s tummy?’

Her intelligence never failed to amaze me. ‘No, she won’t. She’ll arrive magically, from the stars. Just like you. Would you like that?’ Maia’s eyes grew wide and began to shine.

‘Can we read stories together?’ she asked.

‘Of course, my darling.’

‘Then yes please!’

I chuckled. ‘All right then. Ma and I will think about it.’

‘Yes, that’s right, Maia,’ Marina interjected hurriedly. ‘We willthinkabout it. Come on,chérie. It is time for your bath.’

That night, I invited Georg to Atlantis, and he, Marina and I discussed the developing situation on the terrace.

‘I know you feel compelled to do this, Atlas, but are you certain you can take on the responsibility? A second adoption will surely mean even less time for trips to look for Elle,’ Georg pointed out.

I shook my head. ‘I doubt that our new arrival will impact that side of things any more so than caring for Maia already does. The real question is for you, Marina. Could you cope with another newborn?’

‘Atlas. You could give me one hundred babies to feed and care for and I would be happy. You know how much I love them,chéri.’ She raised a critical eyebrow. ‘Although next time, please talk to me before introducing such an idea to Maia.’

I held my hands up. ‘I apologise. I just had to know what her reaction was. If she had been anything but overwhelmingly positive, I would not be giving Horst’s request so much consideration.’

Ma nodded. ‘I understand.’ She cast her eyes out onto the quiet lake. ‘For what it’s worth, I think your friends would be eternally grateful to you,’ she said quietly.

The next morning, I called Horst to confirm that I would do what he had asked. He cried with appreciation. Later that day, he contacted me again to say that Martha had been overjoyed at the plan. I asked if I could meet her to confirm that for myself, but Horst advised me that it would be better for the baby if Martha did not know who I was, given her mental state. Three days later, I received word that Martha had given birth, and Marina and I took the jet to Bergen.

The little girl we took home to Atlantis was notable for the tuft of bright red hair which adorned her head. For the entire journey, I noticed her fists were clenched in steely determination of something. Of what, I am not entirely sure.

The sight of Maia peering over the cot to look at her new baby sister melted my heart, and confirmed that my decision had been the right one. She was so quiet and gentle in her approach.

‘Her name is Alcyone. After the star,’ I whispered.

‘Hello, Ally,’ said Maia, doing her best to pronounce her sister’s name.

‘Yes,’ I whispered. ‘Hello, Ally.’

Aside from a new lick of paint, Arthur Morston Books hadn’t changed a bit in the thirty years I had been away. It was tremendously good to see Rupert Forbes again. He greeted me with a firm handshake and a hearty hug. ‘By Jove, you hardly look a day older, old man!’ he said with a broad grin across his face.

‘I can only say the same of you.’

‘You flatter me, Atlas, old bean, but you’re lying through your teeth.’ He pointed to his temple. ‘Look at this bloody grey hair. I look like my grandfather!’

‘Well, I don’t know how to tell you this, Rupert, but youarea grandfather these days.’

He smiled. ‘Gosh. Am I?! Don’t spread such vile rumours!’

I laughed. ‘How are the boys?’

‘Oh, grand, thank you. We just celebrated Orlando’s fifth birthday. Louise gave him the complete works of Dickens. I said she was crackers, but apparently he’s already finishedA Christmas Carol. At five!’