Page 17 of The Sun Sister
‘I have, yes. She asked if you had any special dietary requirements?’
‘I...’
I realised that last time I was home, I was on a detox, drinking green tea by the bucketful. I’d been with Mitch, who was so clean he’d squeaked, but I’d taken an emergency bottle of vodka with me in case I lapsed. Which I had, but that was understandable because it was Atlantis without Pa for the first time – a wake without the funeral.
‘Are you okay, Electra?’
‘Great, thank you. Christian?’
‘Yes?’
‘Did you drive Pa to many places?’
‘Not really, no. Mostly to Geneva airport to board his private jet.’
‘Did you ever know where he was going?’
‘Sometimes, yes.’
‘And where was it?’
‘Oh, many destinations around the world.’
‘Do you know what he actually did?’
‘I have no idea, Electra. He was a very private man.’
‘And then some,’ I sighed. ‘Don’t you think it’s weird that none of us knew? Like, most kids are able to say their dad is a shopkeeper or a lawyer, but I couldn’t say anything because I didn’t have a clue.’
Christian remained silent, keeping his eyes on the road. As the family chauffeur both by car and boat, it was impossible not to imagine that he knew more than he was saying.
‘You know what?’
‘Not until you tell me, Electra.’ Christian offered me a glimmer of a smile.
‘When I was in all that trouble at school, and you’d come and collect me, you and your car became my safe space.’
‘And what is a safe space?’
‘Oh, it’s therapy-speak for somewhere you can be in your imagination or in a remembered reality that makes you happy. I often dreamt about you arriving outside to take me away.’
‘Then I am honoured.’ Christian gave me a genuine smile this time.
‘Did you just apply for the job with Pa?’ I probed again.
‘Your father knew me from when I was a young boy. I lived...locally, and he helped me – and my mother – a lot.’
‘You mean he was a father figure to you?’
‘Yes,’ Christian agreed after a pause. ‘He was.’
‘Then maybe you are the mysterious seventh sister!’ I chuckled.
‘Your father was a very kind man and his loss is deep for all of us.’
Was Pa kind or controlling? Or was he both?I pondered as we hit the outskirts of Paris and joined the autoroute to Geneva. I reclined my seat and closed my eyes.
‘Electra, we are at the jetty,’ whispered a soft voice into my ear.
