Page 95 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thatiswonderful news!’ I jumped to my feet. ‘Thank you for trusting me. Shall we put your things into the boat?’

‘No,’ said the boy. ‘We can leave everything behind.’ He took his sister’s hand.

‘I quite understand,’ I replied. ‘Now we are acquainted, might I have the pleasure of knowing your name?’

The boy looked up at me. ‘My name is Georg.’

Mr Kohler was somewhat shocked to see me again that afternoon... particularly as I re-entered his office accompanied by two malnourished and begrimed children.

‘What on earth is going on?’ he asked, nearly knocking his cup of tea from his desk.

I explained the situation as succinctly as I could. Reader, it is amazing what money can do. That afternoon, Mr Kohler was able to arrange a doctor, a social worker and unlimited access to hearty meals – all paid for by Agatha Tanit (he was happy to release some funds from the estate immediately, given the unique circumstances, and confident that my grandmother would approve).

‘What will happen to them, Mr Kohler?’ I asked.

The lawyer was in a daze, and I could hardly blame him. ‘As soon as we have been able to confirm exactly who they are, we shall see if they might be able to return to any family members they might have in Germany.’

I raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Do you believe that is likely?’

Eric put his head in his hands. ‘No. Should that prove to be impossible, the Swiss government will probably fund their care and place them in a children’s home, where they will presumably find adoptive parents. As child refugees, their path to citizenship will hopefully prove simple.’

I sat down in the leather chair opposite Mr Kohler. ‘An orphanage, you say?’ Eric nodded. I cast my mind back to the Apprentis d’Auteuil. To condemn Georg and Claudia to such a life after all they had already endured seemed so very cruel. They had run from persecution, as had I. I remembered Boulogne-Billancourt. What were Landowski’s words?

I am sure that one day, you will find yourself in a position to help others. Be sure to accept the privilege.

I knew what I wished to do.

‘I should like to pay for the children,’ I remarked to Eric.

‘I’m sorry?’

‘Georg and Claudia sought shelter on Agatha’s land – my land – and I want to see that they are well treated. The only reason I am stood before you today is due to the kindness of strangers. I haven’t been able to exercise much selflessness during my life, and now it seems that my circumstances have changed.’

Mr Kohler leant back in his chair as he considered my proposal. ‘That is a very noble sentiment, Atlas, but I do not believe that it will prevent Georg and Claudia from being placed in a children’s home. Unless you plan to take them back to London?’

I gazed up at the high ceiling as I thought about the idea. It simply wasn’t safe to take the pair home, given that Kreeg may still be at large. ‘That is not possible at the moment,’ I replied. ‘But Mr Kohler, I would desperately like to avoid those children being placed in a home. They have lost their parents, and their world has been turned upside down. Theyneed comfort and security, not the uncertainty that an orphanage fills a heart with. Can you really think of nothing?’

Eric drummed his fingers on his desk. ‘I suppose... well, I can’t promise anything. But the couple who used to care for your grandmother might be amenable to housing them, if you were able to provide funds for their living costs.’

‘Really?’ I asked, taken slightly aback.

Eric nodded. ‘They are very grateful to Agatha for bequeathing them her town house.’ He chuckled suddenly. ‘In fact, I had to make quite the effort to convince them to accept the gift in the first place. I will make a phone call this afternoon.’

I stood up to shake Eric’s hand. ‘Thank you, Mr Kohler! I should love to meet them, pending the outcome of your telephone call. What was their name?’

‘The Hoffmans.’

Timeo and Joelle Hoffman were a sweet and humble couple in their sixties, whom I met with several times during my stay in Geneva. They spoke so fondly of Agatha and her kindness, and were genuinely thrilled that Eric Kohler had finally been able to locate me. The lawyer’s prediction was proven right, and the couple were all too pleased to welcome Georg and Claudia into the town house, which was impressive and immaculately appointed.

‘It would be our honour, Mr Tanit!’ Joelle enthused. ‘Truth be told, since we lost your grandmother, we’ve felt a little directionless.’

Timeo nodded. ‘It makes no sense us rattling around this enormous place with four spare bedrooms. There’s plenty of room to go around. It’s the least we can do for the poor little nippers after what they’ve been through.’

I was touched by the unquestioning generosity of the pair. ‘Do you have any children yourselves?’ I asked.

The couple appeared a little crestfallen. ‘No,’ Joelle replied. ‘We were not blessed.’ She looked suddenly worried. ‘But honestly, Mr Tanit, we’re very experienced carers, and we would never—’

I put a hand up to stop her. ‘I quite understand, Joelle. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am that you are willing to take Georg and Claudia into your home. Promise me that any expenses whatsoever – food, clothing, schooling – will be invoiced to Mr Kohler. I will authorise him to reimburse you immediately.’ I went to shake their hands, but Joelle embraced me in a hug.