Page 79 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

‘That’s not even the half of it,’ I continued. ‘In the diary, Atlas is being pursued across the world by a childhood friend turned enemy. Maybe you’ve heard of him. He’s that communications tycoon Kreeg Eszu – the one who committed suicide a year ago.’

There was a pause on the line as Ambrose pondered the name. ‘Oh yes... How odd! Come to mention it, I think his companydoesmy internet. It’s rubbish.’

I couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I’m sure everyone on board theTitanwould be glad to hear it. Kreeg and his son Zed are absolutepersonae non gratae.’

‘No wonder,’ Ambrose replied. ‘From memory, that man had fingers in all sorts of pies, didn’t he? Broadband, mobile phone networks... I think he even had a controlling stake in a couple of television channels.’

I swung my feet out of bed and stood up. ‘Apparently so, yes. Zed took over things following Kreeg’s death.’

Ambrose tutted. ‘Well, if you do happen to bump into him at any stage, please send him over to Dublin to boost my signal.’

I shook my head. ‘I’ll be sure to, Ambrose.’

‘Thank you.’ He sniffed. ‘Now, are you any closer to finding out how you ended up on Father O’Brien’s doorstep in West Cork?’

I sighed as I looked out of the porthole at the rising sun. ‘Not yet. Although there is something mysterious that I haven’t mentioned.’

‘Excellent,’ Ambrose cooed. ‘I love mysterious. Do tell.’

‘You’ll recall that Jack did a bit of digging into Argideen House. It turns out that the last registered owner was none other than this Kreeg Eszu fella.’

‘Hmm...’ Ambrose mused. ‘What an intriguing coincidence. If, indeed, itisa coincidence...’ His voice trailed off.

‘Quite. You don’t happen to know anything about what happened with the house from the fifties onwards, do you, Ambrose?’

He sighed, clearly annoyed with himself. ‘I must confess that I don’t. I had little to do with Argideen House on my visits to West Cork. Surely the diary will provide you with answers?’

‘Apparently not, according to Mr Hoffman. Although I’mnot sure I completely believe him. I could swear he’s not telling us the whole truth.’

Ambrose chuckled. ‘Lawyers do not, generally speaking. I’m very happy to do a little bit of digging at this end, if that would be helpful? I’ve still got plenty of contacts in West Cork. You know how small the place is. There’s bound to be someone who rememberssomethingabout that time.’

‘Thank you, Ambrose, I’d be incredibly grateful if you would.’ I smiled at his kindness.

‘Don’t mention it, Merry. As you know, I’ve always rather liked the idea of being a detective.’

‘Poirot would be quaking in his boots,’ I quipped.

‘Indeed. Rest assured, I shall do my bit this end and see what I can learn about the former inhabitants of Argideen House.’

‘Thank you, Ambrose. I’ll ring you tomorrow morning ahead of the wreath laying.’

‘Jolly good! Enjoy the high seas and the continued adventure of your true heritage. Goodbye, Merry.’

‘Goodbye, Ambrose.’ I put the satellite phone down, stretched and headed for the shower.

Ally sipped her latte and looked out onto the Mediterranean from the port viewing deck. The sea was like a millpond this morning, and she envied the perfect sailing conditions. How she wished she could get off theTitanfor a few hours and take her Laser for a spin. It was just what she needed to clear her head. Reliving the awful fate her grandparents had suffered had been difficult. She still found Pip’s decision to stay in Norway difficult to reconcile. If only her grandmother had listened to Pa and Elle, how different things might have been. She could have travelled with them to Scotland, started a whole new life...

Ally shook her head. It was amazing what the bond of love could force a person to do against their better judgement.

Reading the story from a new perspective had given her an even greater sense of sympathy for her biological father, Felix Halvorsen. He had been the real victim of that whole horrific episode. Was it any wonder that he had turned out the way he had? Ally felt a sudden urge to text her brother Thom, and took her phone from her pocket. She checked for any bars of signal, but theTitanwas moving and now out of the range of a mast.

‘Ally?’ She jumped, and managed to spill half of her coffee down her white linen shirt. ‘Shit, I’m so sorry.’ Jack jogged down the deck towards her.

‘Jack... it’s not your fault. I was lost in my thoughts, that’s all.’

‘Yeah?’ He put a gentle arm on her back, and Ally’s spine tingled. ‘Are you doing all right?’

Ally nodded. ‘I am. Thank you, Jack.’