Page 236 of The Missing Sister

‘I...’ Ally was desperate to confide in someone. ‘Ma?’

‘Yes?’

‘I need to get hold of Georg, but he’s just not answering his mobile. Do you know for sure when he’ll be back?’

‘As he is coming on the cruise with us, it must be tomorrow. May I ask why?’

‘I... oh Ma, Jack told me something earlier and it’s really shaken me. Normally I’d tell Maia and we’d work out what to do. But under the circumstances, I just couldn’t tell her. Especially not tonight.’

‘Tell me,chérie. You know it will go no further. What did Jack say?’

‘That Argideen House, which is the place the coordinates for Merope point to, was once owned by a family called Eszu.’

Ally registered the shock on Ma’s face. ‘Eszu?’

‘Yes. Jack spelt the name out for me. It’s identical, Ma. I mean, over dinner I was thinking that maybe it could just be a coincidence, but it’s such an unusual name, isn’t it? Especially in Ireland. Do you know if there was any connection between Pa and the Eszu family in the past?’

‘Truly, Ally, I have no idea. However, I do know that you believe you saw Kreeg Eszu’s boat close to where you think your father was buried. And then, of course, his son, Zed...’

‘The father of Maia’s child,’ Ally spoke in a whisper, just in case CeCe or Chrissie came down for a mug of something to take up to bed. ‘I hope you understand why I didn’t want to say anything about it tonight.’

‘Of course I do. She told Floriano she’s pregnant, didn’t she?’ said Ma.

‘She did. But you mustn’t tell anyone, Ma.’

‘Of course I won’t. I’m so very happy for her.’

‘Do you think that Georg might know anything about the Eszu connection?’

‘Ally, please believe me, I know no more than you, but he worked so closely with your father, so he might well, yes.’

‘You really don’t know where he’s gone?’

‘I swear, I have no idea. I am sorry I cannot help you further – I would if I could. I’m going up to bed. Goodnight, Ally.’

‘Goodnight, sleep well.’

Ma left the kitchen just as Ally’s mobile rang. ‘Hello?’

‘Hi there, Jack here again. You’re not in bed or anything, are you?’

‘No, not yet. How’s things in Ireland?’

‘They’re well, thanks. The taxi’s booked to take me, Mary-Kate and Ambrose – my mum’s quasi-godfather – and Mum, of course, back to Dublin.’

‘Are you sure you can’t persuade your mum to join us? I’m hoping that our lawyer, Georg, will be back tomorrow and then hopefully he can confirm for certain it is your mum who is the missing sister.’

‘No can do, I’m afraid, Ally. She’s adamant that she wants to spend more time here in Ireland. Mary-Kate and I will fly from Dublin to London tomorrow afternoon, then our plane for Nice leaves early the next morning. We’ll meet you on the boat, is that right?’

‘Yes, I’ll send a car to pick you up from the airport, then I’ll see you aboard theTitanwith...’

Ally stopped herself, realising she hadn’t yet told Jack she had a baby son. ‘With the rest of the sisters,’ she added quickly.

‘Okay. Well, sounds as if it’s sure gonna to be an adventure. Mary-Kate’s excited to meet the rest of you girls.’

‘And I’m excited to meet her. Okay, let me know if there’s any delays, and if not, I’ll see you in Nice.’

‘Yeah, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you again, Ally. Night.’