Page 35 of The Missing Sister

‘Forgive me for my lack of political correctness. As you are well aware, my language comes from another era where “funny farm” would be an amusing phrase for an asylum. Once upon a time they called it Bedl—’

‘Enough, Orlando!’ Star reprimanded him. ‘I know you do it on purpose to annoy me, but for the last time, Electra was simply getting help for her addictions. Anyway, do you want to hear where we’ve got to with the missing sister, or not?’

‘Of course I do. If you would kindly remove my supper tray to the kitchen and furnish me with a nip of brandy, using the second glass to the left on the middle shelf in that cabinet, I will be all ears.’

As Star did as he asked, she wondered whether it was Orlando who needed treatment.He definitely has OCD, she thought as she allowed his instructions to guide her to the right glass on the right shelf.

‘There we are,’ she said as she put the stopper back in the crystal decanter and passed the brandy to him. Then she sat down in the leather chair on the other side of the fireplace. She thought how this room – modelled exactly on the sitting room of his old flat above the bookshop in Kensington, with its red-painted walls, antique furniture and rows of leather-bound books upon the shelves – would be the perfect setting for any Dickens novel. Orlando lived a good hundred years behind everybody else, which was mostly endearing, but sometimes irritating.

‘So, dearest Star, do tell all,’ Orlando said as he laced his fingers below his chin, ready to listen.

Star did so, and it took far longer than if she was telling anyone else, because Orlando constantly butted in with questions.

‘What does that razor-sharp brain of yours deduce?’ she finally asked.

‘Rather sadly, not much more than you already have: that this Merry of yours, who has the emerald ring which is the clue to her adopted daughter’s true heritage, does not want to be found. Or at least, she does not want to be found byyourfamily. So the only question worth asking is, why?’

‘Exactly,’ said Star. ‘I was hoping you might have some ideas.’

‘I doubt it’s anything personal towards any of your sisters. You say that none of you have ever met or heard of the McDougals before. So this story and the key to the mystery must go much further back in time. Yes,’ Orlando nodded in affirmation, ‘it’s definitely something to do with the past.’

‘I wonder if Pa was going to adopt Mary-Kate as a baby, then something went wrong, and he lost her?’ Star mused.

‘Perhaps. New Zealand is about as far away as you can get,’ agreed Orlando. ‘At least her mother might know who Mary-Kate’s birth parents are.’

‘Which is why you and I need to somehow arrange a meeting with her, so we can find out.Andfinally get a glimpse of that ring to match it to the drawing Ally has faxed me.’

‘Are you saying you want to embroil me in a dangerous mission to London tomorrow?’

‘Absolutely, and I know you wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ she countered.

‘You know me too well, dear Star. Now, I want to go over everything again in detail...’

When Star had finished and there were no more questions, she watched Orlando sitting in his chair, eyes closed and obviously deep in concentration.

‘Sorry not to be able to play Watson to your Holmes for much longer, but I need to get back home,’ she prompted.

‘Of course,’ Orlando said, opening his eyes. ‘So, you’re serious about meeting with this woman tomorrow?’

‘You know I am. Maia and Ally have asked me to.’

‘Well then, I fear it will cost your family a fortune, but you need to reserve one suite, and a smaller single room, at Claridge’s hotel.’

Star narrowed her eyes. ‘Orlando, this isn’t simply a ruse to spend a night in what I know is your favourite hotel?’

‘My dear Star, it is you that will be making use of the luxury suite, whilst I am no doubt billeted in an attic room next to the maids. Although their afternoon tea is quite the ticket.’

‘Hmmm... If you could tell me what this plan involves, then I could run it past Maia and Ally to see if they would allow us to spend what must be an astronomical amount for rooms there. Maia says Georg’s secretary is booking anything we need. He’s away apparently.’

‘I am still finessing the plan, but please assure your sisters I believe it is almost foolproof. Tell them I will provide a refund of all costs if we fail in our endeavour. Now, I must get to work too; I have a lot of preparation to do overnight if I’m to pull this off.’

‘What do you mean,youare going to pull this off? Am I not involved?’

‘Oh, you are deeply involved, and must play your part to perfection. I am presuming that you have a smart dress or a suit in your wardrobe?’

‘Um... I think I could probably pull something together, yes.’

‘And any pearls?’