Page 30 of The Missing Sister

‘You know what, Mariam? You’re wasted as a PA. You should become a counsellor. I think I’ve learnt more from you in the past few months than from any of the therapists I’ve paid shedloads to talk too.’

‘Well, thank you for that compliment,’ Mariam smiled. ‘But remember, you pay me too. And talking of which, could we go through your interview schedule for the next few days?’

‘I haven’t been to Toronto in years,’ commented Electra as they stepped off of the jet and were ushered into a limo that was waiting on the tarmac.

‘I have never been,’ said Mariam, ‘but I have heard it is a beautiful city. I was reading about it last night, and apparently we have to get on a ferry that takes ninety seconds to cross Lake Ontario. They’re thinking of building a tunnel underground so passengers can walk to the mainland.’

‘You’re a mine of information, Mariam,’ said Electra. ‘Looking back, I now feel bad that I’ve never bothered to find out anything about the places I’ve visited for photoshoots. One city melts into another, one golden beach looks like everywhere else, y’know?’

‘Not really, but I understand what you’re saying. Look, there’s the ferry.’ Mariam pointed towards the slim strip of water separating them from the Canadian mainland.

‘By the way, you did bring my disguise, didn’t you?’

‘I did,’ Mariam nodded, digging inside her satchel, which had begun to remind Electra of Mary Poppins’s carpet bag, as it never failed to produce whatever it was she needed.

‘Do you want me to help you put it on?’ Mariam asked as the limo moved forward onto the ferry and then parked up.

‘Yes please. If we do manage to meet this woman in the hotel lobby, it’s best that I’m not recognised or we’ll be surrounded. Hopefully I can explain who I really am once we get Merry somewhere private.’

‘Here’s the top you wore in Paris, which you can put on over your T-shirt.’

‘Thanks,’ said Electra as she pulled the garment over her head and put her arms through the wide sleeves. She bent her head towards Mariam so she could wrap a colourful scarf around her head and pin it into place. After Mariam had added a little eyeliner around her eyes, she sat back. ‘So, how do I look?’

‘Just as you should. We are two Muslim women on a sightseeing holiday in Canada, yes? Look, we’re off the ferry already. The hotel is only a couple of minutes away,’ added Mariam.

As they stepped out of the limousine in front of the Radisson, Electra’s stomach gave a lurch. It felt like the butterflies she used to get when she had to return to boarding school. ‘Which means you’re nervous,’ she muttered under her breath as they walked into the lobby. ‘Right,’ Electra said. ‘What do we do now?’

‘You go sit down and I’ll ask the concierge if he can call Merry’s room and let her know we’re here. In case she’s out, I suggest you find a spot to sit where we can see the entrance as well as the elevators just over there,’ Mariam pointed. ‘There’s a free couch right in that corner which will give us a perfect view.’

‘Okay,’ Electra said, feeling very glad Mariam was with her. She always knew what to do and would calmly set about doing it. Having crossed the polished floor of the lobby and sat down where Mariam had suggested, Electra looked around and saw not one head turning towards her as it usually would.

Mariam returned and sat down beside her.

‘No one has noticed me so far,’ Electra whispered.

‘Good, and I am sure Allah won’t mind you borrowing the symbols of our faith occasionally, but if it’s going to be more permanent, then you may have to convert,’ Mariam replied. Electra wasn’t sure if she was being serious or not. ‘Anyway,’ she continued, ‘the concierge said he’d spoken to Mrs McDougal last night, and also put a note under her door, confirming we were coming and would meet her in the lobby at one o’clock.’

‘I never open those notes that get left under the door, mind you,’ said Electra. ‘It’s normally either your bill, or to say that housekeeping couldn’t get access to turn down your bed. Did the concierge call her room when you were with him?’

‘He did, yes, but she did not pick up.’

‘Then maybe she’s not coming.’

‘Electra, we are ten minutes early, so let’s be positive and give Mrs McDougal a chance, shall we?’

‘Okay, okay, but if she doesn’t show, it must mean she’s avoiding us.’

‘Her daughter, Mary-Kate, thinks – quite understandably – that it might be because she is unhappy about potential relatives turning up suddenly. We must be sensitive, Electra.’

‘I’ll do my best, promise. Remind me what she looks like again?’

‘Maia said we are looking for a small, slim, middle-aged woman with blonde hair... like Grace Kelly.’

‘Oh yeah, I think Maia mentioned her. Who is she again?’ Electra asked.

‘Shewas one of the most beautiful women to ever walk the earth. My dad was in love with her for years. Here, let me see if I can bring up a picture of her.’

Mariam opened her satchel and pulled out her laptop. She typed in the password for the Wi-Fi that the concierge had given her and found what she was looking for.