Page 158 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Love, your friend,

Tessie x

I put the letter back in the envelope. ‘I didn’t know Elle’s friendship meant so much to her.’

‘Nor I Louise’s,’ Rupert replied. ‘She was ever so emotional after reading hers. It was very good of Tessie to send those, isn’t it? It says a great deal about her character.’

‘It does,’ I said quietly.

‘I’m only sorry that we haven’t been able to get the letter you’ve just read to Tessie’s intended recipient.’

‘So am I,’ I whispered. A pregnant pause hung between us, as I stared at my old friend. ‘I know what you’re going to ask of me, Rupert.’

He nodded slowly. ‘Before you say anything, I’ve considered all the options. I’m a decade older than you, and Louise isn’t far behind. Of course, I thought about asking Laurence and Vivienne, but they’re hard up spending all their cash sending the boys to a boarding school which they cannot afford. To make matters worse, they’ve just found out young Orlando is epileptic. They couldn’t handle another child.’

I took a deep breath. ‘What about Teddy’s side of the family? You know, the ones that live in the enormous country estate? Is there not enough room for the baby there?’

Rupert ran his hands through his hair. ‘You’re right. Teddy and Dixie still inhabit High Weald. Their son Michael is a decent sort. In fact, just had a daughter of his own, Marguerite.’

‘Wouldn’t she like a playmate, Rupert? She’s literally a blood relative!’

Rupert put a hand on my shoulder. ‘Please believe me when I say I’ve given it consideration. But the knock-on effects of sharing information about the situation with Michael might upset the palace.’

His comment served to annoy me. Why was the indiscretion of a reprobate being made my problem? ‘Well, we wouldn’t want that, would we?’ I took several steps away and tried to calm myself by looking at the illustrations on display in the children’s section.

‘To be very honest, old boy, no. The firm can be quite aggressive when they want to be, let me tell you. There’s a reason they’ve survived as long as they have.’ I heard him take a nervous gulp of tea.

I stared at the beautifully arranged volumes ofAlice in Wonderlandwhich had no doubt been delicately placed byLouise. I picked one up, cracked the spine and inhaled its vanilla-like essence. Turning around, I took in the shop, and was transported back to the heady days when Elle and I did little but read and restock the shelves. We had nothing but each other, and we were happy. None of it would have been possible without the kindness of Rupert and Louise, and before them, Archie and Flora. Just as with the Halvorsens, I had vowed to myself that I would do anything to repay the Vaughan family.

I already knew what my answer was going to be, but I wished to watch Rupert squirm a little more. ‘So. It’s not appropriate for Teddy’s family to bear the burden of his “mistake”. But it’s all right for me, Mr Tanit the gardener?’ I raised my eyebrows at him.

My question had the desired effect, and the normally measured Rupert looked as though he might combust. ‘Of course it’s not, dear chap. I’m not here to strong-arm or force this. But the simple fact is you’ve recently adopted two marvellous little girls and given both of them more love than they could ever have dreamt of, plus the most amazing lives. When I heard about this baby in need of a family, my mind immediately turned to you. Of course it did.’

I nodded. ‘Yes. When you put it like that, I suppose I am a logical solution.’ I eyed him pointedly, declining to speak.

‘Well?’ Rupert floundered. ‘Is there room for one more little princess in that magical palace of yours?’

I crossed over to him. ‘Flora and Archie Vaughan took care of me and Elle when we were in need. As for you and Louise... without your help, I do not know if I would be alive today.’ I gave him a wide smile and shook his hand. ‘It would be my privilege to repay the favour.’ Rupert looked like he might collapse with relief.

Later that afternoon, we found ourselves at the Metropolitanand City Foundlings Orphanage in the East End of London. Rupert had made the requisite telephone calls to ensure that the little girl would be able to travel back to Geneva with me later in the evening.

‘The palace are very happy about the resolution,’ he informed me in a discreet voice.

‘I don’t give a damn about the palace in all honesty, Rupert. This is about your family.’ I looked down at the sleeping baby in my arms. ‘And my own.’

The peril of growing older is that we must watch those we love slip away one by one.

In July, my youngest companion from the RMSOrient, Eddie, rang me. He had been an official member of the Mackenzie clan for over twenty-five years, but his reason for contacting me at Atlantis was not a happy one. With a shaking voice, he informed me of his father’s – Ralph’s – passing.

I spent an hour on the telephone comforting Eddie and reminding him of all his family had done for me. I was profoundly upset by the news of Ralph’s passing, and mourned a dear friend who had been trustworthy and steadfast to the last.

One week later, I found myself outside Alicia Hall in Adelaide for Ralph’s memorial service. Far gone are the days when I would have to embark upon an epic sea voyage to reach Australia. Anyone could, in fact, be on the other side of the world in twenty-four hours. From the outside, the grounds of the hall appeared as opulent and luscious as ever, and as I walked through the gate, a well-dressed young man with blond hair approached me and shook my hand.

‘Mr Tanit?’ It was Eddie Mackenzie. ‘Thank you for coming.’

‘Eddie! I’m so sorry for your loss.’

He bowed his head. ‘Thank you.’