Page 13 of The Seven Sisters

‘There’s nothing we can do to take away the pain of his loss, but I hope at least that with all of us being here together, we can comfort each other,’ I said, hurriedly taking a box of tissues from the shelf and putting them next to her on the sofa. She took one and wiped her eyes. ‘I haven’t stopped crying since Ma told me. I just can’t bear it, Maia, I simply can’t.’

‘No, none of us can,’ I agreed. And as I watched and listened to her outpouring of grief, I thought how her arresting, sensuous physical presence was so at odds with the vulnerable little girl who inhabited her soul. Often I’d see photos of her in magazines on the arm of a film star or a rich playboy, looking fabulous and totally in control, and I’d wonder if it could really be the same woman as the emotionally volatile sister I knew. I’d come to believe that Electra craved constant displays of love and attention to satisfy some inherent deep-seated insecurity.

‘Can I get you something to drink?’ I asked, during a hiatus from her sobbing. ‘A brandy perhaps? It might help calm you down.’

‘No, I haven’t had a drink for months now. Mitch is on the wagon too.’

Mitch was Electra’s current boyfriend, known to the rest of the universe as Michael Duggan, a world-famous American singer who was currently on a sold-out international tour, playing huge arenas packed to the rafters with screaming fans.

‘Where is he at the moment?’ I asked, wondering if talk of him would divert Electra from another teary outburst.

‘Chicago, and then next week he plays Madison Square Garden. Maia, can you tell me how Pa Salt died? I really need to know.’

‘Are you sure, Electra? You’re obviously very upset and you’ve had such a long flight. Perhaps after a good night’s sleep you might feel calmer.’

‘No, Maia.’ Electra shook her head and made a visible effort to pull herself together. ‘Please tell me now.’

So, for the third time, I repeated what Marina had told me, swiftly covering as much ground as I could. Electra sat quietly and listened intently to every word I said.

‘So, have you thought about arrangements for the funeral? Mitch did say that if it was next week, he might be able to fly over and help me get through it.’

For the first time, I was actually relieved that Pa had chosen to be laid to rest privately. The thought of the media circus that would have ensued had Electra’s megastar boyfriend made an appearance at Pa’s funeral sent shudders through me.

‘Electra,’ I began, ‘we’re both tired now and—’

‘What is it, Maia?’ said Electra, immediately picking up on my hesitation. ‘Tell me, please.’

‘Okay, I will, but please try not to upset yourself again.’

‘I’ll do my best, I promise.’

So I told her that the funeral of sorts had already taken place. And, to her credit, even though I saw her knuckles were white as she balled her fists in tension, she did not cry again.

‘But why would he have done that?’ she asked me. ‘Surely it’s cruel to deny us all a chance to say goodbye to him properly? You know’ – Electra’s yellow-gold eyes flashed angrily – ‘it’s so typical of him. I think it’s a really selfish thing to have done.’

‘Well, we have to believe that he felt the opposite and wanted to spare all of us the pain of saying goodbye to him.’

‘But how can I ever feel he’s gone? How can any of us? In LA, they talk about “closure” all the time and how important it is. How can that ever happen for us now?’

‘To be honest, Electra, I don’t think you ever achieve closure after losing someone you’ve loved.’

‘Maybe not, but this doesn’t help.’ Electra glared at me. ‘Well, Pa Salt and I never did see eye to eye on most things. I mean, it was obvious he disapproved of how I earn my living. I think he’s the only person who ever thought I had a brain. You remember how furious he was with me when I flunked all my school exams.’

Ididremember vividly the stand-up arguments that would reverberate from his study over Electra’s appalling school reports and other elements of her life as she grew up. Electra only ever saw rules as things to be broken and she was the only one of us who’d stand toe to toe with Pa and fight it out. Yet at the same time, I’d seen the glint of admiration in Pa’s eyes when he talked of his fiery youngest daughter.

‘She’s certainly spirited,’ he’d said to me on more than one occasion, ‘and that will always mark her out from the crowd.’

‘Electra, he adored you,’ I comforted her. ‘And yes, perhaps he did want you to use your brain, but then, what father doesn’t? And let’s face it, you’ve become more successful and famous than any of us. Look at your life compared to mine. You have everything.’

‘No I don’t,’ she sighed suddenly. ‘It’s all smoke and mirrors, no substance to it really, but there we are. I’m tired, Maia; would you mind if I slept here in the Pavilion with you tonight?’

‘Of course not. The spare bed is made up. Sleep as late as you want tomorrow, because until we’ve got hold of Ally, there’s nothing any of us can do except wait.’

‘Thank you. And I’m sorry I got so emotional. Mitch has put me in touch with a therapist who’s trying to help me with my mood swings,’ she confessed. ‘Can I have a hug?’ she asked as she stood up.

‘Of course you can.’

I took her into my arms and held her to me. Then she picked up her overnight case and walked towards the sitting room door, halting in front of it. ‘I have a terrible headache,’ she said. ‘Do you have some codeine by any chance?’