Page 12 of The Missing Sister

‘Yeah, a lot of people say that, but actually, I’m adopted.’

CeCe shot Chrissie a look. ‘Wow,’ she said. ‘Like me and my sisters. Do you know exactly where you were adopted from? And who your birth parents are?’

‘I don’t. Mum and Dad told me as soon as I was old enough to understand, but I’ve always felt that my mum is my mum, and my dad is...wasmy dad. End of.’

‘Sorry to pry,’ CeCe said quickly. ‘It’s just... it’s just that if youareadopted, then...’

‘Then you really might be the missing sister,’ Chrissie finished for her.

‘Look, I understand your family have been searching for this person for a while,’ Mary-Kate said gently, ‘but I’ve never heard my mum mention anything about a “missing sister”. All I know is that it was a closed adoption, and it happened here in NZ. I’m sure Mum will clear it all up if you get to see her.’

‘Right.’ Fletch stood up. ‘I’m gonna try getting online again, so you guys have some idea of whether you can travel to Norfolk Island in the next twenty-four hours.’ He moved along the table to sit in front of the computer.

‘Does your mum have a mobile?’ Chrissie asked.

‘She does,’ said Mary-Kate, ‘but if you’re about to ask me whether we can contact her on it, there’s only the tiniest chance that she’ll have a signal on Norfolk Island. Part of the beauty of living there is the fact they’re fifty years behind everywhere else, especially in the modern technology department.’

‘Okay, Houston, we have lift-off!’ Fletch exclaimed. ‘There’s a seven a.m. flight from Queenstown to Auckland tomorrow morning, landing at eight. The flight for Norfolk Island leaves at ten a.m. and lands just shy of a couple of hours later. What time does your onward flight leave Sydney tomorrow night?’

‘Around eleven p.m.,’ said Chrissie. ‘Are there any flights to Sydney leaving Norfolk Island late afternoon?’

‘I’ll take a look,’ said Fletch, going back to his computer screen.

‘Even if we can get a flight out at the right time, it would only give us a few hours on Norfolk Island,’ said CeCe.

‘It’s a tiny island, though, eh?’ Fletch commented.

‘Mary-Kate, do you think you could just try your mum’s mobile?’ Chrissie asked. ‘I mean, to go all that way and then find she isn’t there would be a real pain.’

‘I can try, for sure. And I can call Bridget, the friend she’s staying with, too. Mum left her number on the fridge – I’ll go and get it, then call both of them.’

‘We’re in luck!’ said Fletch. ‘There’s a flight at five p.m. from the island into Sydney. If you land in the morning at ten forty Norfolk time, that should give you plenty of time to meet up with Mary-Kate’s mum. Who, by the way, is always known as “Merry” – she was apparently called that when she was little because she never stopped giggling.’

‘That’s cute,’ smiled Chrissie.

‘Not a nickname I was ever given as a baby,’ muttered CeCe under her breath. ‘Me and Electra were the angry, shouty sisters.’

‘I’ve just tried my mum and Bridget, but I only got their voicemails on the mobile and the landline,’ Mary-Kate said as she appeared from the kitchen. ‘I left messages saying you were trying to get in contact with Mum about the ring and that you’re planning to visit tomorrow, so if they manage to listen to their answer services, they’ll know you’re coming.’

‘Well?’ Fletch peered at them over the computer screen. ‘There are three seats left on the flights to Auckland and Norfolk Island, and only two back to Sydney. Are you gonna go or not?’

CeCe looked at Chrissie, who shrugged. ‘Whilst we’re here, we should at least try to get to see Mary-Kate’s mum, Cee.’

‘Yup, you’re right, even if it is an early wake-up tomorrow. If I give you my credit card details, Fletch, can you book us on the flights? Sorry to ask, but I doubt we’ll find an internet café anywhere locally.’

‘You won’t, and course I will, no hassle, eh?’

‘Oh, and just one last thing: can you recommend anywhere that we can stay the night?’ Chrissie said, always the practical one.

‘Sure, right here in the annexe,’ said Mary-Kate. ‘We use the dorms for the workers, but I’m pretty sure there’s one room spare just now. It’s not fancy or anything – just bunk beds – but it’s the nearest place to rest your heads.’

‘Thanks a million,’ said Chrissie. ‘We’ll get out of your hair now. I’d like to take a wander outside. The countryside around here is incredible.’

‘Okay, I’ll just show you to your dorms and...’ Mary-Kate glanced at Fletch before saying, ‘Mum left the freezer full, and I can defrost a chook casserole for dinner tonight. You guys want in? I’d love to hear more about your family and what the connection might be to me.’

‘Yeah, it would be great if you turned out to be the missing sister. And that’s so kind of you to invite us,’ CeCe smiled. ‘Thanks for being so hospitable.’

‘It’s the New Zealand way, eh?’ shrugged Fletch. ‘Share and share alike.’