Page 163 of The Missing Sister

I sat down in the nearest chair, my nerves yet again jangling. At this rate, I thought, I’d be dead from a heart attack soon and joining Jock. Bizarrely, I felt comforted by the image of my earthly remains spread across the vines with his, always together at the safe haven we’d created.

‘Right.’ Jack tore open the envelope and removed the short note inside.

Dear Mrs McDougal,

My name is Tiggy D’Aplièse, and as you might know, my sisters and I have been trying to track you down to talk to you. I don’t wish to disturb you or, more importantly, frighten you, but I am staying in Room 107 and my mobile number is below. I can be contacted at any time.

With best wishes,

Tiggy D’Aplièse

‘Well.’ Jack eyed me as he handed me the note. ‘One thing I can confirm is that Ally and Tiggyaresisters, because Ally mentioned a sister called Tiggy. It’s not a common name, is it?’

I glanced up at him and saw the look on his face. I’d been so taken up with these women pursuing me, I hadn’t put two and two together.

‘You really liked Ally, didn’t you, Jack?’

‘I did, yeah, even if she was only there because I’m your son and she had a hidden agenda,’ he said ruefully. ‘I did text her, but I haven’t heard back. I don’t seem to have much luck with women, do I? Anyway, apparently we have another of these sisters right here in the hotel with us. What do you want to do, Mum?’

‘I... I don’t know.’

‘Well, I don’t know what it is that made you leave Ireland, or why you’ve been scared ever since, but the one thing that Idoknow, having met her, is that Ally is a good person.’

‘That’s what James Bond thought about Vesper Lynd inCasino Royale,’ I smiled weakly.

‘For goodness’ sake, Mum, we’re not in a fictional thriller!’

‘As a matter of fact, Ian Fleming based his spy stories on fact. Trust me, I know how these organisations work.’

‘Maybe soon you’ll tell me all about it, but for now, I’ve had enough of this subterfuge. Let’s find out for sure, shall we? I’m gonna call this Tiggy’s room and arrange to meet her. You can stay safely up here until I give you the all-clear, okay?’

‘Look,’ I sighed, torn between looking like a total fruitcake in front of my son, and protecting him. ‘I know you think your old mum is losing her mind, but I swear, Jack, there’s a good reason why I’m frightened.’

‘Which is whyIwill meet this newest member of the family. Enough is enough, Mum; I can see you’ve lost a load of weight since you left home, and you’re in a right state. Dad’s not here to protect you anymore, so I’m going to.’

I watched my son stride over to the phone that sat by the bed and pick up the receiver.

‘Hello, could you put me through to Room 107, please? Yes, my name is Jack McDougal.’

We both waited as reception transferred the call, me in an agony of tension, Jack perfectly calm.

‘Hello, is that Tiggy D’Aplièse? Yes, hi there. I’m Jack McDougal, Merry McDougal’s son. I was wondering if we could meet down in the lobby and have a chat whenever you’re free?’

I watched Jack nod and give me a thumbs up. ‘Right, I’ll see you there in ten. Bye now.’ He hung up the phone. ‘So, I’m going downstairs to meet her – I doubt she’ll be shooting me in the middle of a public lounge with people taking afternoon tea. I suggest you have a lie-down while I suss her out. I’ll give you a call on the mobile to update you.’

‘But—’

‘No more “but”s, Mum, please. Trust me. For everyone’s sake, we need to get to the bottom of this, okay?’

‘Okay,’ I nodded. What else could I say?

He strode out of the room, and even though part of me wanted to call him back because of the danger he could be in, I had never felt prouder of him. He had his father’s clear, calm demeanour, and every day, he reminded me more of my beloved husband.

‘Oh, Merry,’ I said as I followed Jack’s advice and lay down on the bed. ‘What a mess you’ve made of your life...’

Of course, I couldn’t sleep, so five minutes later, I was up and pouring myself a cup of tea, waiting tensely for Jack to call.

Fifteen very long minutes later, he did.