Page 10 of The Seven Sisters

‘Maia, can I ask you another question?’

‘Of course.’

‘Do you ever wonder where you came from? I mean, who your real mother and father were?’

‘Of course it’s crossed my mind, Tiggy, but Pa’s been everything to me. Hehasbeen my father. So I suppose I’ve never needed – or wanted – to think beyond that.’

‘Do you think you’d feel guilty if you did try to find out?’

‘Maybe,’ I replied. ‘But Pa has always been enough, and I couldn’t imagine a more loving or caring parent.’

‘I can understand that. You two always did have a special bond. Perhaps the first child always does.’

‘But each one of us had a special relationship with him. He loved us all.’

‘Yes, I know he loved me,’ said Tiggy calmly. ‘But that hasn’t stopped me from wondering where I originally came from. I thought of asking him, but I didn’t want to upset him. So I never did. Anyway, it’s too late now.’ She stifled a yawn and said, ‘Would you mind if I went up to my room and had a rest? Perhaps it’s delayed shock or the fact I haven’t had a day off for weeks, but I feel totally exhausted.’

‘Of course not. You go and lie down, Tiggy.’

I watched as she floated across the room to the door. ‘I’ll see you later.’

‘Sleep well,’ I called as I found myself alone once again.Andoddly irritated. Maybe it was me, but Tiggy’s otherworldliness, her air of being slightly removed from all that went on around her, seemed suddenly more pronounced. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted from her; after all, I’d been dreading my sisters’ reactions to the news. I should be glad that Tiggy looked to be handling it so well.

Or was the real reason I felt unsettled the fact that each of my sisters had lives that went on above and beyond Pa Salt and their childhood home, whereas both he and Atlantis had comprised my entire world?

*

Star and CeCe stepped off the launch just after seven and I was there to greet them both. Never one to volunteer physical affection, CeCe allowed me to clasp her briefly in my arms before pulling away.

‘Shocking news, Maia,’ she commented. ‘Star’s very shaken up.’

‘I’m sure,’ I replied, watching Star as she stood behind her sister, looking even paler than usual.

‘How are you, darling?’ I asked, reaching my arms towards her.

‘Devastated,’ Star whispered, resting her head, with its glorious hair the colour of moonlight, on my shoulder for a few seconds.

‘At least we’re all together now,’ I said, as Star moved away from me and towards CeCe, who immediately wrapped her own strong, protective arm once more around her.

‘What needs to be done?’ CeCe asked as the three of us walked up towards the house.

Again, I took both of them into the drawing room and sat them down. And once more, I repeated the circumstances of Pa’s death and his wish to have a private burial with none of us in attendance.

‘So who was it that actually put Pa over the side of the boat?’ CeCe enquired, as clinically logical as only my fourth sister could be. I understood she didn’t mean to be insensitive. CeCe just wanted the facts.

‘It’s not a question I’ve asked, to be honest, but I’m sure we can find out. It was probably a member of his crew on theTitan.’

‘And where did it happen? I mean, near St Tropez where the yacht was moored, or did they sail out to sea? I’m sure they must have done,’ added CeCe.

Both Star and I shuddered at her need for detail. ‘Ma says he was buried in a lead casket which was already on board theTitan. But as to where, I really don’t know,’ I said, hoping that would be the end of CeCe’s probing.

‘Presumably, this lawyer will be telling us exactly what’s in his will?’ she persisted.

‘Yes, I should think so.’

‘For all we know, we’re now destitute,’ she said with a shrug. ‘You remember how obsessed he was about us all earning our own living? I wouldn’t put it past him to have left the lot to charity,’ she added.

Even though I understood that CeCe’s natural tactlessness was almost certainly more pronounced at this moment to help her cope with her current inner pain, I’d reached my limit. I didn’t respond to her comment but instead turned to Star, sitting silently on the sofa next to her sister.