Page 27 of The Missing Sister

‘No, it is Star. Here.’ Claudia handed over the receiver and went back to her washing-up.

‘Hello, Star! How are you?’

‘Oh, I’m good, thank you, Ally.’

‘How is Mouse? And Rory?’

‘They’re fine as well. Sorry I haven’t replied to your email yet; we’ve been doing some stocktaking at the bookshop and it’s been chaos. Anyway, I thought I’d call you rather than write. It seems ages since we last spoke.’

‘That’s because it has been,’ Ally said with a smile, ‘but don’t worry. So you got my email?’

‘Yes, and CeCe has filled me in too – we’re meeting up in London in the next few days. Isn’t it exciting? I mean, that Georg might have found the missing sister just in time to go and lay the wreath. Is there any more news?’

Ally explained that they were hoping Electra would go to Toronto tomorrow.

‘Well, anything I can do from my end, let me know. Is it okay if I tell Orlando, Mouse’s brother, about all this? He’s actually a really good sleuth. It must be all those Conan Doyle stories he reads,’ Star chuckled.

‘I don’t see why not. Have you decided when you’re coming over to Atlantis yet?’

‘As I said, I’ll be meeting CeCe and Chrissie in London, but I won’t be able to fly to Geneva with them – Mouse is very busy with the restoration of High Weald, so I don’t want to leave Rory alone with him for too long. He’ll only get fed crisps and chocolate, knowing Mouse. Rory’s school term finishes the day before we leave for the cruise, so I’ll fly over with him then, and hopefully with Mouse too.’

‘Just let us know, because it’s not long now, is it?’

‘No, and I’m so excited to see everybody. Goodness, Ally, it feels like so much has happened to all of us in the past year. And of course, I can’t wait to meet Bear either. Keep in touch, won’t you? I’m going to have to go actually – I promised to cook forty-eight muffins and a lemon drizzle cake for Rory’s school fete tomorrow.’

‘No problem, Star. Speak soon, bye.’

Ally wandered back outside to finish her soup, and tried not to feel envy that all her sisters’ lives were so full and busy. And how all of them sounded happy.

I really do need that spin on the lake, she thought as she sat down.

Out on the water, the warm June breeze whipped Ally’s curls around her face. She took in a lungful of pure air, then let it out slowly. It felt almost as if a physical weight had been lifted off her shoulders – or rather, out of her arms. She looked back at the silhouette of Atlantis, the pale pink turrets peeping out from behind the row of spruce trees that shielded it from prying eyes.

Veering sharply to avoid the path of other sailors, para-gliders and holidaymakers who were cluttering up the lake on this beautiful summer afternoon, Ally guided the Laser to an inlet and lay back, enjoying the sensation of the sun on her face. It reminded her of lying in Theo’s arms only a year ago, feeling as happy as she’d ever felt.

‘I miss you so much, my darling,’ she whispered to the heavens. ‘Please show me how to move on, because I don’t even know where my home is anymore.’

‘Hello,’ Maia greeted her sister as Ally walked back into the kitchen a couple of hours later. ‘You’ve really caught the sun out there. Did you enjoy that?’

‘It was wonderful, thanks. I’d forgotten how much I love it,’ Ally smiled. ‘Is Bear okay?’

‘Ma’s just about to give him a bath, and he’s absolutely fine.’

‘Great, then I’ll head up and take a shower while I can. How are you feeling, Maia, any better?’

‘I’m fine, Ally. Oh, just before you go up, Electra called while you were out. I’ve given her the name of the hotel in Toronto and Mariam has called the private jet company, so it’s currently on hold for tomorrow.’

‘Okay, perfect. See you in a bit,’ Ally said as she left the kitchen.

After calling Merry’s hotel to confirm with the receptionist that she was still there, Maia dialled Mariam’s number.

‘Hello, is that Mariam? It’s Maia here.’

‘Hi, Maia, all okay?’

‘All is fine. I just wanted to tell you that Mary McDougal is definitely staying at the hotel for another couple of nights. She was out, but I’ve left a message saying Electra will be in touch to confirm a time to meet her tomorrow. I didn’t say her name in case it caused too much of a fuss.’

‘Thank you. That’ll be me making the call then. Your sister’s snowed under; everyone wants to speak to her right now,’ said Mariam, her soft tone like a spoonful of melting honey. ‘Miles and I think that it’s very important she paces herself, as it’s not so long since she came out of rehab.’