Page 24 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘Gosh. I’m so sorry, Tiggy, that must be incredibly difficult.’

‘Yes. He was everything to me – to all of us – and I can’t believe that he hasn’t come to see me one final time.’ Tiggy dropped her head and began examining her hands, as she often did when contemplating matters beyond the physical world.

Maia struggled to know what to say to her sister. ‘Perhaps it’s because he knows just how much it would upset you, Tiggy?’

‘Maybe,’ she replied. ‘I’d begun to think that maybe he had sent me Charlie, andthatwas his goodbye.’

‘That sounds very Pa,’ Maia offered.

‘Yes. But then these last few weeks, I’ve started to feel unsettled again.’

‘Is everything all right with Charlie?’

‘Oh, absolutely. I just mean that I’ve begun to feel very anxious about Pa all of a sudden. Which is not something I expected given the fact that he died a year ago.’

‘No, I can imagine. But Tiggy, I think it’s only natural,given what we’re here to do. I’m sure all of us have felt something similar.’

Tiggy thought for a moment. ‘Yes. I’m sure you’re right. Sorry, Maia, I didn’t mean to go all serious andbrujaon you there. Particularly after last night – what a hoot that turned out to be!’

‘Gosh, I know. Jack and Mary-Kate are so lovely.’

‘Absolutely. Speaking of which, do we know if Georg made it back with Merry last night?’

‘Something tells me he did, yes. There are two extra places at the table. Last night we were sixteen, and this morning we are eighteen.’

‘Gosh. I can’t believe everyone’s finally going to meet the missing sister. After all these years... she was just a story. And this morning she’ll be sipping orange juice with us.’

‘Poor Merry. She’s been through so much, Tiggy. I can’t believe Georg has managed to get her aboard. We must make sure we go above and beyond to look out for her over the next few days.’

‘Agreed. She really does have a beautiful soul, Maia. Even though I only met her briefly in Dublin, I know she’s going to fit in incredibly well.’

There was a brief silence as the pair reflected on the significance of the new passenger. Eventually, Maia spoke. ‘It was quite funny to see Georg run off the boat yesterday, wasn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him break a sweat. He really was absolutely desperate for Merry to make the trip. I mean, I know we all were, but I think we all know how to take no for an answer,’ Maia mused.

Tiggy looked off into the distance again. ‘I don’t think letting her go was an option for him, Maia.’ She grinned. ‘Do you know, I have the strangest feeling that—’

Tiggy was interrupted by voices coming from the salon.

‘My daddy says that theOre Brasilis a boat which is even bigger than this one,’ Valentina told Rory proudly.

‘Wooow... Do you know what theTitanicis?’ Rory countered. The pair emerged onto the deck, followed by Floriano.

‘Okay, okay, I do not think we need to talk about that ship now, young sir.’ Floriano grinned at Maia and raised his eyebrows.

‘Bom dia, Maia!’

‘Bom dia, Valentina.Apenas Inglês, por favor. Only English on this trip.’

‘Okay...’

‘Thank you, Valentina,’ Tiggy said. ‘Some of us aren’t as clever as you. Or as pretty!’

‘Oh please, Auntie Tiggy, this one’s head does not need to grow any bigger...’ Floriano said, lifting Valentina up and tickling her.

‘Any sign of the others, Floriano?’ Maia enquired.

Rory chipped in. ‘We went and knocked on everyone’s doors, didn’t we, Valentina? Then we had a race around the boat, and we found Ma with Ally and Bear at the front. They’re all coming. Are we having sausages for breakfast?’

‘Oh, I’m sure Chef will send up some sausages, Rory. Good choice. Is that your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?’ asked Tiggy.