Page 92 of The Missing Sister

‘Okay, I understand. Well, that’s that then. It’s a shame, because I saw on the website that it has a very nicegîteset in the vineyard that visitors can rent. It’s vacant at the moment. I know how much you love France, especially since you discovered your heritage there. It’s part of who you are, Maia.’

‘I am sorry, Ally; even though you’re right, and I’d love to go to Provence, I just can’t.’

‘Then I’ll call Tiggy and see if she can fly over. It’s not that far from Scotland, is it?’

‘No, but... Ally, why don’t you go?’

‘Me?! Can you imagine what Bear would be like on a five-hour car journey? I couldn’t.’

‘I think you could if you left Bear here at Atlantis with Ma and me for a couple of days. It would do you good, Ally. You’ve not been apart from him for more than a few hours since the moment he was born, and you’ve told me you’ve started supplementing his milk because he’s such a hungry baby. You could express tonight and tomorrow morning before you leave.’

‘Oh Maia, I couldn’t. What if he got sick? Had a fever? How could I leave him here? I...’

‘At the risk of sounding patronising, Ma brought up six babies and is quite capable of dealing with a fever and even worse. She absolutely adores Bear, and he seems to love her too. He quite likes me as well,’ Maia added with a smile.

‘Are you trying to say he doesn’t need his mother?’

‘No, Ally, of course not. What I am saying is that evenyoumust admit that you’ve been exhausted and have found it a strain coping by yourself. I think a drive through beautiful countryside heading for agîtein the Rhône Valley, and some time – and nights – alone, would do you the world of good. It’s completely normal for mothers to leave their babies in the care of a grandparent,andan auntie. Would you at least think about it?’

‘Okay, but—’

‘No buts, Ally. Just think about it. Now, I’m going to get an early night. Ma’s insisted on making me a milky drink before bed like she used to when we were little,’ Maia smiled. ‘Have a good night’s sleep, and thank you. Our conversation has really helped me. Please don’t tell anyone about my news not even Ma... I want to speak to Floriano first.’

‘You know you can trust me.’

‘Always. Goodnight, darling.’ Maia kissed Ally’s red curls and walked into the kitchen.

Ally sat back, watching insects buzzing around the lamps that lit up the garden. She thought about what Maia had suggested and at first rejected it out of hand because it seemed like such a foreign concept. It was almost a year now since Bear had become part of her. She’d lived every day with him either in her tummy or out of it. On the other hand, the thought of driving down to Provence alonewasappealing. She could take the old open-topped Mercedes sports car that Pa kept in the garage just next to the pontoon in Geneva. He’d once collected her from the airport in it after a race and the two of them had driven down to Nice to meet theTitan. They’d playedThe Magic Fluteat full blast as the wind had rushed through her hair.

‘I felt so free then...’ she murmured.

Looking at her watch, she saw it was past ten o’clock. She walked back into the kitchen to find Ma already preparing Bear’s bottles.

‘Ma, it’s late. I could have done that.’

‘It is no problem, Ally. I will do the night-time feeds again tonight. If I tell you I enjoy those moments when the rest of the world is still and a contented baby lies sleeping in my arms, would you think me mad?’

‘I wouldn’t at all.’ Ally took a bottle from the steriliser and put it on the table, so she could take it upstairs to express some milk for tomorrow morning.

‘Maia just mentioned to me that a trip to Provence is necessary,’ said Ma. ‘As Maia is not quite herself, she suggested that perhaps you should go. You know I am happy to look after little Bear whilst you are away. In fact, it would be my pleasure to do so.’

‘Maia seems very keen on me going, but I’m not sure I want to.’

‘It is up to you, of course, but if there is someone you must meet to find out more about this missing sister, then you should consider it. I know your father wanted to find her so very badly. Ah well,’ Ma sighed, ‘you must do what is right for you first, Ally. And if she cannot be found in time for the cruise, the most important thing is that sheisfound.’

‘But what if she doesn’twantor need to be a part of this family? From what CeCe and Chrissie said, Mary-Kate has her own very loving adoptive family, although she too has recently lost her father. And her mum is obviously not happy about our arrival in her daughter’s life either. I know it’s what Pa wanted, but sometimes things just can’t happen, for whatever reason.’

‘I know, Ally, I know. Do not upset yourself, please, it’s the last thing your father would have wanted. Now, will you come upstairs to bed with me, or are you staying down here?’

‘I’ll come with you.’

They switched off the lights in the kitchen, and walked up the stairs.

‘Goodnight, Ma,’ she said as she turned for one of the guest rooms on the first floor. ‘Ma?’

‘Yes,chérie?’

‘Is there... I mean, do you know anything about Pa and his life that can maybe help us?’