Page 235 of The Missing Sister

‘Ally? Did you get that? Did you want me to repeat it?’

‘No, I got it. E-S-Z-U.’

‘Yup. Told you it was a weird one.’

‘It is...’ Ally sat down heavily in a chair.

‘Hey, Ally, you okay?’

‘I’m fine.’

There was a pause on the line before Jack spoke. ‘That name means something to you, doesn’t it?’

‘I... yes, it does, but how it fits into everything, I really don’t know. Listen, I’ve got to go and have supper now, but I’ll speak to you later.’

‘Okay. Speak later.’

Ally stood up and realised she was sweating with... what? Surprise, or fear...? Deciding she wouldn’t share the news with anyone just yet, she went to the sink and splashed her face with water, then stepped outside to join the diners.

After supper, everyone except Ma, who was upstairs putting Bear to bed, joined in with the clearing up.

‘I guess it went well, then,’ Ally whispered to Maia as they stood side by side, drying the saucepans as CeCe and Chrissie stacked the dishwasher.

‘It did,’ Maia whispered back. ‘He was thrilled, Ally, and I’m just so relieved!’

‘I certainly don’t think you need to worry about Valentina’s reaction either, given the way she already adores Bear. I’m so happy for you, Maia, I really am. I just hope you can be happy for yourself.’

‘Now I’ve told Floriano, maybe I can be. I’m not going to say anything to anybody until we’re all gathered together on the boat, although I think that—’

‘Ma already knows,’ they both whispered together, then smiled.

‘Was that phone call earlier from Jack, by the way?’ Maia asked.

‘Yes, it was.’

‘Any news?’

‘Yes, but it wasn’t important,’ Ally lied. ‘You go off with Floriano and Valentina and enjoy your special evening, okay?’

‘Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Sleep well, Maia.’

‘I think that finally I will. Goodnight.’

Taking Valentina by the hand, Maia and Floriano left the house to head for the Pavilion.

‘I think we’ll have an early one too,’ said CeCe. ‘It’s gonna be a busy day tomorrow. Night, Ally.’

Chrissie and CeCe left the kitchen and Ally watched as Ma entered it and began preparing Bear’s bottle for the night-time feed.

‘Honestly, Ma, I’ll do tonight. I think you need a full night’s sleep before tomorrow. I’m feeling so much better since I came back from France. Seriously.’ Ally almost grabbed the bottle from her and put it on the table. ‘I’ll do it,’ she repeated.

‘Perhaps a night’s sleep will do me good. These last few weeks have made me realise I’m getting old, Ally. When you were younger, I could exist on almost no sleep and did for years. But now... well, it seems I can’t.’

‘Ma, you’ve been absolutely wonderful and I don’t know what I would have done without your help with Bear. Now, go to bed and enjoy the peace while you can.’

‘All right. Will you come up with me?’