Page 175 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt
‘We’re... seeing each other, yes,’ Maia said quietly.
CeCe folded her arms. ‘If he’s not your boyfriend, then what is he?’
‘He’s just... you know... he’s just a boy!’
Ally tried to stick up for her elder sister. ‘Come on, girls. Stop torturing her!’
‘What does he look like?’ Star asked.
‘Well,’ continued Maia, ‘he’s from Greece. So he’s very attractive.’
‘You’ve nabbed yourself a Greek god then, Maia?’ I asked,taking a sip of my wine. ‘Now, I must ask, when can we all meet him?’
‘Pa, I’m not bringing him here to the lion’s den. He wouldn’t even last five minutes with this lot! You haven’t even asked his name!’
‘Yes, forgive me, my darling. Please, tell me. What is my future son-in-law called?’
Maia smiled shyly, and looked down at her plate. ‘Zed.’
My stomach dropped. ‘I’m sorry?’ I asked.
‘Zed,’ Maia repeated.
‘What, like the letter?’ Electra asked.
‘I guess.’ Maia giggled. ‘It’s spelt Z-E-D.’
I made eye contact with Marina at the opposite end of the table. She gave me a nod as if to encourage the question she knew I was desperate to ask.
‘And his surname, Maia?’ I enquired.
‘It’s Eszu. E-S-Z-U.’
I thought I might pass out.
‘Maia Eszu!’ Star said. ‘I think that’s a very cool name.’
‘It’snotas nice as D’Aplièse, though, is it?’ added Electra.
I stood up, keen to get away from the table before I fainted. ‘Excuse me, girls, I’m not feeling too well. I’m just going for a little lie-down.’
‘Are you all right, Pa?’ Ally asked.
‘Oh yes. I’m sure I’m fine. I was out on the Laser for a little too long today. I think I have a bit of sunstroke.’
‘I don’t think Pa likes the fact that you have a boyfriend, Maia!’ CeCe squealed.
‘No, it’s not that,’ I replied firmly. ‘It’s not that at all.’
I left the dining room and made straight for my study, where I locked the door and collapsed into my armchair.Oh God. Oh God. This cannot be. It cannot!My heart was banging so ferociously that I thought it might beat its wayout of my chest. I went to pick up the phone to call Georg when there was a knock at the door.
‘Sorry, girls, just having a little rest.’
‘It’s Marina.’
I opened the door to her. ‘Come in, Ma.’
She shut it behind her and threw her arms around me. ‘Courage, chéri. Courage.’
