Page 53 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Georg considered the last twelve months. What a whirlwind they had been for the D’Aplièse sisters. Each one had, without exception, handled the truth of their past with such maturity and wisdom.

‘You would be so proud,’ he said to the empty room.

The last few weeks in particular had been sleepless. The phone calls he had received with constant updates of ‘the situation’ were enormously distressing. Although he was attempting to deal with it as best he could, once more Georg was torn between the lawyer in him, duty-bound to fulfil the wishes of his client, and the human being, who loved this family as his own. There was a tap on the sky lounge door. Georg turned to see Ma poking her head around the frame.

‘I just wanted to check on you,chéri. Are you coping?’ she asked.

‘Yes – thank you. Please come in, Marina. Will you join me in a drink?’

She closed the door softly behind her. ‘You know, Georg, on this occasion, I think I will.’ He reached for the decanter, and duly poured his old friend a glass.

‘This was his. A Macallan 1926. In fact, I do not doubt that the last hand to touch this decanter was his.’ He handed the drink to her.

‘Thank you. Yes, I remember him saying that he developed quite a taste for the local drams after spending that time in Scotland.’ Marina took a delicate sip, and felt the warm, mellow liquid travel down her throat and into her stomach. ‘Do you think the girls have reached that point in the diary yet?’

‘I am unsure. How do you think they will receive it all, Marina?’

‘It is difficult to predict. Some may find certain elements of his story easier to digest than others. But I am simply glad that, for once, we will all be in complete accord.’

‘Yes.’

‘May I ask for the latest news?’ Marina looked at Georg searchingly.

‘There is nothing beyond what I told you this morning. Things are deteriorating quickly. There is not long left.’

Marina crossed herself. ‘Whatever happens, you must not blame yourself, Georg. You have acted honourably.’ She placed a hand on his.

‘Thank you, Marina. That means a great deal coming from you. We have been through so much together over the years. I just feel I owe it to him to get thisright.’

‘I know you will, Georg, whatever you choose. I fear it is not often said, but Atlas would be enormously proud of you, too. And your sister, of course. I am sorry not to have asked... how is she coping with it all?’

‘She is finding it difficult, as anyone would in such circumstances.’

‘I can only imagine.’ Marina looked out to the ocean. ‘He always loved this coastline.’ Georg did not respond, and Marina looked up at her friend to see tears in his eyes.

‘Ohchéri, please do not cry. It breaks my heart.’

‘I owe him everything, Marina. Everything.’

‘As do I. I’ve always meant to ask... when Atlas found you two on the shores of Lake Geneva, did you ever wonder if he’d turn you in to the authorities?’

Georg lifted the decanter and replenished his glass. ‘Of course. We were just a pair of terrified children. But he himself had fled persecution.’ He sipped his whisky slowly. ‘Atlas was so kind to us.’

‘You have repaid him well, Georg. You have given your life to his service.’

‘It was the least I could do, Marina. Without him, I would not have a life.’

Marina had emptied her glass too, and Georg refilled it. ‘Thank you. How long does your sister anticipate is left?’

Georg shrugged. ‘Only days.’

‘Will that influence your decision, Georg? About—’

‘Perhaps.’ He cut her off. ‘I confess, finding Merry and bringing her aboard theTitanjust in time for it to set sail might determine my course of action.’

‘It seems only fitting. Perhaps it is a sign from above.’

‘As so much of his world has always been.’