Page 19 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘Good morning, Mr Hoffman. Welcome back.’ He nodded to Georg.

‘Thank you, Hans.’

‘Well then, if we’re all accounted for, let’s get back to the yacht. Victor, remove the line.’ The deckhand loosened the loop from the concrete piling, and joined us in the tender. ‘It will be just a few moments, Mrs McDougal.’

‘Is anybody else awake?’

‘Not to my knowledge, no. Victor, did you notice anyone up and about?’

‘No, Captain.’

I felt a surge of relief. In all honesty, the welcome from Captain Hans had been intense enough, and he was just the man who steered the boat. One thing was for certain: whoever Atlas had been, he clearly engendered fierce loyalty in all those he employed. I wasn’t sure I could face an immediate ‘family reunion’ as soon as I set foot on board. All I wanted was a bed to get my head down for a few hours.

‘I will arrange for the six copies of the diary to be made when we’re on board,’ Georg assured me as we skimmed the short distance across the still water.

‘Thanks, Georg. No rush. I just want to sleep if I’m honest.’

Once Victor had unloaded the bag, and Captain Hans had helped me aboard, I was led up the steps to the aft deck and then into the main salon, where Georg showed me a bedroom plan pinned to an enormous cork board.

‘Let us see... deck two, suite one. Excellent. You have been placed right next to your children. They will be in the two cabins immediately to your right.’

‘Blimey, Georg, there’s a lot of names on here... Have all the sisters brought their partners?’

‘Yes, you are correct. As you can imagine, this trip carries a significant emotional weight, and the girls collectively decided that it would be best for each to have a significant other.’

‘Do... do all the sisters have asignificant other?’ I raisedmy eyebrow, the overly protective mother in me thinking immediately of Jack. I knew full well that his primary motivation for coming on this cruise was a certain young auburn-haired woman.

‘All apart from Ally, the second sister. But she is here with her young son, Bear.’ The fact that I was so tired meant that an unchecked look of surprise registered on my face.

‘Are you all right, Merry?’

‘Oh yes, fine. Are there many children on board?’

‘Two others. Valentina, the daughter of Maia’s partner, Floriano, and Rory, who is the son of Mouse – Star’s partner. I should mention too that young Rory is deaf, though he can lip-read incredibly well.’

‘My, what a busy boat. I think you’re all going to have to be sympathetic to me on the name front.’

‘I don’t doubt for a moment that everyone will be. Shall I show you to your room?’

‘Yes, thank you, I...’ The salon suddenly began to spin a little, and a familiar swimming sensation descended. It dawned on me that in addition to the lack of sleep, the last thing I’d consumed was an Irish coffee in Belfast yesterday afternoon. ‘May I just grab a little air, Georg? I feel light-headed.’

‘Of course, take my arm.’

Georg led me out onto the sun deck, and sat me on some enormous cushions which formed a large seating area at the rear.

‘Let me find you some bottled water. I’m sorry, as it’s early, there aren’t so many staff around. Will you be all right for a moment?’

‘I’m sure I will be.’ Georg left at a quickened pace. I tried to control my breathing and slow my heart rate, which was thumping so aggressively I thought it might explode out ofmy chest. I really did feel completely overwhelmed, just as I’d feared. The thought of being stranded in the middle of the ocean with these strangers, their partners and all those associated with them, not to mention the revelations I had been tasked with delivering, was all too much. As I closed my eyes, I heard another sound over my deep inhalations – the rhythm of feet padding along the deck. I opened my eyes expecting to see Georg sprinting towards me with a bottle of Evian, but instead a man who I had never met before stood in front of me. He was tall with rippling muscles, which were on full display in his close-fitting running gear. From the grey that peppered his tightly curled hair, I would have placed him in his late thirties.

‘Oh, hey there,’ he said, in an American accent.

‘Hi,’ I replied meekly.

‘You doing okay? You look a little, uh... peaky.’

‘Oh, yes, I’m okay. Georg has just run to grab me some water.’

‘Georg... that’s the lawyer, right?’