Page 275 of The Sun Sister

‘Who is it?’ asked Ally suspiciously.

‘It is Georg Hoffman.’

Ally and I raised an eyebrow as Ma walked into the hall and unlocked the front door to let him in.

‘Sorry to startle everyone,’ Pa’s elegant silver-haired lawyer said as he walked into the sitting room. ‘I would have called earlier, but I thought it was simply better to come in person as soon as I could.’

‘What is it, Georg?’ I asked. ‘Has something happened?’

‘Yes, it has, but please, do not be alarmed. It is, well, quite incredible news, which is why I wanted to speak to you as soon as possible. May I sit down?’

‘Of course.’ Ma indicated a chair and Georg sat down and then drew an envelope out of his jacket pocket.

‘I received this letter about an hour ago at home. Ally, Maia, I think you should read it.’

‘Is it to do with Pa? Has something happened to one of our sisters?’ asked Ally, eyeing the letter as though it contained dynamite that might blow up at her very touch.

‘No, no. Please, believe me, there is nothing wrong.’

‘Then just tell us,’ Ally demanded.

‘You do not know, girls, but for many, many years, your father and I have conducted a search that has taken both of us across the world. And down countless rabbit holes and dead ends. Then last year, just before your father died, he received some new information, which he passed on to me. Finally tonight, I received some news that I believe is accurate.’

‘What about?’ Ally asked, the voice of all of us.

‘Well, you must read the letter, but I have reason to believe that, after all this time, we may have found your missing sister...’