Page 27 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Jack spoke first. ‘Morning, everyone! I just wanted to introduce you to my mum, Mary. You might have heard of her before now...’ There was an odd silence. I’m sure it must have only been a few seconds, but for me the pause was stretched out into what seemed like an eternity. It felt like the crowd was absorbing me, taking me in, as if my presence was somehow difficult to comprehend. A couple of the women looked at each other and smiled. The others just stared at me, with eyes wide and lips slightly apart, as if they were overwhelmed. In any case, it seemed that no one was exactly sure of what to say, so I broke the tension.

‘Hi there. Everyone calls me Merry, as in Merry Christmas. So you can be after calling me that if you want to, so.’ My nerves ensured that I had immediately slipped back into my West Cork brogue.

A woman with thick, auburn hair, who had been bouncing a baby on her lap, was the first to stand up. There were no prizes for guessing which sister she was. Her fair skin and wide eyes were captivating, her delicate eyebrows and high cheekbones enhancing her beauty. I could certainly see why Jack was entranced.

‘Merry. Hello... I... we, all of us... are just so very pleased to have you on board.’

‘Thank you. It’s lovely that you’ve gone to so much trouble to get me here.’

At that moment, another woman, this one with deep browneyes and flowing dark hair, began to clap. Almost instantly, the entire table joined her in the applause. Soon, the table was on its feet, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the enthusiastic response. I noted Georg, stood at the head, giving me a nod. Was that a tear in his eye? Surely not... Certainly, every face was adorned with a smile, and the genuine warmth radiating from the assembled mass was really quite heartening.

A tall woman made her way towards me. I estimated that she was in her mid-sixties. She was elegant, with strong, aquiline features.

‘Hello, Merry. My name is Marina. The girls – forgive me, that is what I call them – know me as “Ma”. I looked after them when they were growing up. I cannot tell you what a privilege for us it is that you have joined us. You have made a lot of people incredibly happy, and many hearts full,chérie.’

‘Is that a French accent you have there?’

‘Ah, you have a delicate ear! I am French, but perhaps you know I live in Switzerland.’

‘Of course. I’ve heard all about your wonderful home on the shores of Lake Geneva.’

‘Oui, chérie!You must come and visit us!’ I couldn’t help but giggle at this lady’s enthusiasm.

‘Come on, Ma! Don’t scare her away, for God’s sake. She’ll be jumping overboard and swimming for shore if you carry on like that.’ The words came from a statuesque woman with beautiful ebony skin and a tangled, tightly curled mane. She was so strikingly beautiful that I myself was nearly lost for words. ‘Hey. I’m Electra. It’s an honour to meet you.’ Her yellow-gold eyes looked into mine, and it was obvious that this was the supermodel.

‘Ah, of course. I’ve seen you on the television! In fact, were you in an advert for a perfume recently?’

Electra chuckled and shook her head. ‘Probably. I’m sorrythat my face was trying to flog you something on your TV before we had a chance to meet in person.’

‘Well, I can confirm you’re as lovely in person as you were on my screen!’

‘You’re very sweet. Hey, this is my sister, CeCe.’ Electra indicated a stocky woman with hazel-flecked almond eyes, whose hair was shaved into a boyish crop.

‘Hey, Merry. Can I just say, I think you have a great name.’

‘Oh, thank you. So do you! CeCe, wasn’t it?’

‘That’s right, short for Celaeno. It’s a bit less of a mouthful. You can blame my dad for that one.’

Behind CeCe was the willowy blonde who reminded me of Mary-Kate. We had met before at Claridge’s, of course, under different pretences. I locked eyes with her.

‘Hello, Merry,’ she said meekly. ‘I—’

‘Goodness me!’ I exclaimed. ‘If it isn’t the one and only Lady Sabrina Vaughan. Funny to see you here. How’s the viscount?’ The poor girl’s pale face immediately adopted a rouge hue.

‘I’m just so terribly sorry about that, Merry. It was the stupid idea of my silly friend, Orlando. He’s a little eccentric. On all fronts.’

‘Oh, she’s being far too kind. He certainly is very silly. I have the misfortune of being his brother,’ chimed a well-spoken Englishman from the breakfast table.

‘I never should have gone along with it.’ The blonde woman put out her hand. ‘If we can start again, I’m Star. Technically, it’s short for—’

‘Asterope,’ I accepted her handshake. ‘You’re all named after the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades. It’s beautiful.’

‘Yes, you’re absolutely right! Gosh, normally that takes a fair bit of explaining,’ Star said.

‘Ah, well, you’re in luck with me. I did my dissertation onOrion’s pursuit of Merope. And don’t worry, Lady Sabrina. All is forgiven. It’s nice to meet therealStar.’

Another familiar face was lined up behind Star. ‘Hello again, Merry,’ said the gentle Tiggy. ‘It’s so lovely to see you.’ She approached me and we hugged. When we had met in Dublin, it had been her soft-spoken manner that had convinced me that this family wasn’t out to harm my own.