Page 54 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

There was another knock on the door, and Merry appeared. ‘Hello, you two. How are you getting on?’

‘Merry! Yes, well, thank you,’ Ma replied. ‘More importantly, how are you,chérie?’

‘Oh, grand, thanks. The diary is a fascinating read. Atlashad quite the way with words, didn’t he? For a boy so young, he’s incredibly eloquent.’

‘He was always linguistically gifted.’ Ma smiled.

‘I just wanted to ask about this Kreeg Eszu chap. He’s only really got a brief mention so far, but Jack has told me that Argideen House was owned by his family. Could you tell me a bit more about how that came to be?’

Ma looked up to Georg, who polished off his whisky in a single gulp. ‘Ah, yes. I imagine you must be very curious about that connection.’ Merry noted the steely way Ma was staring at Georg. ‘But to tell you the truth, Merry, we do not know.’

‘Oh. Really?’

‘Yes. I suppose it is better to tell you that now than for you to read the entire contents of the diary and be disappointed.’

‘Right. Well, that’s more than a little annoying.’

‘Perhaps we will find out one day. Or perhaps it is mere coincidence, Merry,’ Georg lied.

Merry wrinkled her nose and tutted sharply. ‘Ah, yes, you’re absolutely right. I’m sure I’m overthinking it. After all, it’s a very popular Irish name. Sure, there’s thousands of Murphys, O’Briens and Eszus,’ she retorted. Merry placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows at Georg, causing him to take out his pocket square to dab his brow. ‘Now, I’d like to make a call to Dublin, if that’s possible, to update Ambrose on everything. I can hardly believe it’s been less than twenty-four hours since I last saw him. It feels like a lifetime since then.’

‘I am inclined to agree, yes,’ replied Georg. ‘There is a satellite phone in the office. Most of the staff are familiar with its operation. Marina, would you mind accompanying Merry?’

‘Of course not. Come along,chérie. Afterwards, shall we perhaps enjoy a glass of wine on the aft deck before dinner?’

The ladies left the sky lounge and Georg was alone once again. He sighed heavily. It was regrettable that he had just lied to Atlas’s daughter. Perhaps he should have come out with the whole truth then and there, which would certainly have eased the enormous burden he felt he was carrying. But, of course, it was not what his employer would want. Georg’s pocket vibrated, and he hurriedly fumbled to retrieve his phone. Although it displayedUnknown Number, he knew exactly who was on the other end of the line. Inhaling deeply, he accepted the call.

‘Pleione,’ said Georg.

‘Orion,’ came the reply.

These were the words required by both parties so that each knew it was safe to talk.

Georg steeled himself for the evening update.

Ally tossed and turned in her hot cabin. Dinner had been uneasy, with each of the sisters independently struggling to understand the gravity of what they had read earlier. Floriano and Chrissie had done a good job of filling any silences, and Rory and Valentina had entertained the table with their charming developing friendship. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was noticeably tense, which was hardly a surprise given the circumstances. Ally had caught Jack’s eye a few times as they ate, but he had looked away to avoid any awkwardness. She wished she’d addressed the ‘Bear situation’ in the cabin earlier, but had been too nervous. She felt stupid. The longer it went unspoken, the stranger it surely seemed to Jack.

Ally’s phone buzzed, and she saw that she had a new voicemail. Reception was patchy out at sea, but clearly Hans had anchored them within reach of a local mast. She dialled her message service.

‘Hello, Ally. It’s Celia here...’ Theo’s mother’s voice crackled on the recording. ‘I hope you’re well, my darling, and little Bear! I’m so looking forward to seeing the pair of you again in London. Do let me know if you have any plans to come over. If not, I shall pack my thermals and make my way to Norway! Listen, I know that you’re on your cruise in honour of your wonderful pa... So I just wanted to giveyou a call to let you know I’m thinking of you, dear. And I’m sure that wherever he is, Theo is smiling down on you, too. Sending lots of love to you, darling. Bye.’

Ally put the phone down, and a fresh wave of guilt washed over her. Celia Falys-Kings’s voice was so full of genuine affection. Yes, she had feelings for Jack, but shuddered at the thought of disrespecting Bear’s father’s memory.

‘I’m sorry, Theo,’ she whispered.

Even though her sisters were cheering her on, Ally reflected on what others might think – what would her brother Thom’s opinion be if she and Jack ever...? It wasn’t exactly a great look to snag a new boyfriend less than one year after your partner had died. In addition to that, the last thing she wished to do was to upset Merry, who must have been finding this whole experience surreal enough, without her new adopted sister being inappropriately affectionate towards her own son.

‘Oh God.’ Ally sighed.

‘Ally? Are you awake?’ whispered a voice from outside her cabin door. She tiptoed over and gently opened it. Tiggy stood there, in herTitanrobe. ‘Hi! Sorry, I didn’t want to knock and risk waking Bear.’

‘Oh, don’t worry about it. He’s out for the count. Would you like to come in?’

‘Thank you.’ Tiggy had an uncanny ability to glide into rooms, like a graceful, elegant spirit. It was a light, ethereal quality which Ally had always admired. ‘I just wanted to check something, as I zoned out a little at dinner. Did we agree to read another one hundred pages of the diary by tomorrow lunchtime?’

‘Yes, that’s right. Then we’re going to regroup and discuss.’

‘Lovely, sounds like a plan. Thanks, Ally.’ Tiggy turned towards the door, but paused by Bear’s cot. She looked downat her sleeping nephew. ‘Little Bear. Hard to believe that it was only a few months ago in a cave in Granada when you decided to surprise us all... particularly your mummy!’ she whispered.