Page 202 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Rhea continued. ‘I considered giving the diamond back to Lapetus. But I wagered that if Clymenehadtold her husbandabout it, he would assume that it left with her when she was marched out of the carriage the night after giving birth.’

‘If you returned it to him, he would know you had stolen it.’

‘Yes.’

‘So, where is it?’

‘That is a secret which will only be revealed to you when you agree to sell it for me. Of course, I will give you a handsome commission. Plus, all the... extras you want.’

‘Show it to me.’

‘Maxim, I can’t just—’

‘Tell me where it is, Rhea.’

‘Do you not believe me?’

‘I would just like to see it.’

‘It’s not here.’

‘No?’

‘No. I have it placed somewhere else for safekeeping.’

‘A pity. I would have liked to observe it. Anyway. It is late. I must be going.’ Kreeg heard him stand.

‘Maxim... this will stay our little secret, won’t it? You won’t tell anyone else of the diamond?’

‘Of course not. I will see you soon.’ After a few footsteps, the door to the house was slammed firmly.

Deciding against the glass of water, Kreeg crept back into bed, his head swimming with what he had just learnt. Suddenly he was aware that escape from this life was possible and, indeed, likely, if what his mother said had been true. He stared at the face of the sleeping boy he regarded as his little brother, whose chest rose and fell slowly and rhythmically.

Although thoughts dashed around his head like rats in a run, he was clear on one thing above all else.

Under no circumstances could Atlas find out what Rhea had done.

After Kreeg had finished his story, we both sat in silence, staring out at the blue Aegean, which quietly lapped against the hull of theOlympus.

‘My father had always told me that my mother died giving birth to me,’ I eventually managed.

‘He lied to you,’ Kreeg confirmed.

‘To protect me.’ I was choked. ‘Do you remember the moment that the Bolsheviks took her away?’ Kreeg nodded. ‘Was she scared?’

Kreeg hesitated. ‘Would you not be?’

‘Yes,’ I whispered. There was another long pause, and my eyes drifted across to the enormous gem that lay on the table. ‘All these years I’ve had the diamond, believing it to be Rhea’s. But... it belonged to my mother all along.’

‘Itbelongedto the tsarina.’

‘Given willingly. But then taken surreptitiously by your mother.’

‘And then taken forcibly by you,’ Kreeg snapped back.

‘You still contest that my father knew Rhea had taken thediamond from my mother, and had charged me with stealing it back?!’

‘I do.’