Dear reader, if you have made it this far, you will have naturally begun to question the immense gaps in this diary. When I first began recording my thoughts in the 1920s, the purpose was to articulate my feelings, for at that time I did not speak. I found it such a successful exercise that I continued it throughout my life. When I first met Angelina in Granada, I resolved to dedicate my life to the search for Elle, and my first daughter. The diary lay on my study desk, forgotten. I was a man driven by a single purpose.

Then, when I adopted Maia, I felt it such a significant moment that I owed it to the ‘reader’ to record it. The same, of course, went for Ally, Star, CeCe, Tiggy and Electra, too. It has not escaped me that the last few chapters serve to chronicle how I met my children, and I should like to think that one day, they will read these pages. Know that the gaps in the diary were filled with love, laughter and family. My children have given me more than I can ever express on paper. Whenever I have left Atlantis to continue my search for the missing sister, I have felt a deep longing in my heart for the company of my girls.

Speaking of the missing sister, I should inform you that I have not today picked up my pen to celebrate our long-awaited meeting.

Forgive me, reader, I appreciate that the writing here is a little sloppy. But I am unable to stop my hand from trembling. Earlier today, I had a conversation with my eldest daughter which chilled me to the bone.

This evening, we have been celebrating the end of Maia’s second year at university at a special dinner with all the girls. She still has half a term to go, but has blessed us with a visit during her reading week. At around three this afternoon, I walked out onto the jetty to watch for the sight of Christian ferrying Maia home across the lake. When she came into view, I couldn’t help but feel my heartstrings tug a little. My little girl is a woman now. No doubt the occasions she returns here to see her old pa will be few and far between.

As the boat lightly buffeted the wood at the end of the jetty, she practically leapt off, and jogged towards me.

‘Hello, Pa!’

‘Maia, my darling!’ I embraced her tightly for the first time in very nearly three months. ‘It is so very good to see you. Welcome home.’

She gave me a light kiss on the cheek. ‘You too. Oh look, here they come!’

I turned and looked up towards the house to see a trickle of D’Aplièse girls heading down the slope to greet their eldest sister. CeCe was practically dragging Star, Tiggy skipped freely and Ally followed behind, arms folded. Electra was, of course, leading the pack in a full-on sprint.

‘MAAAAIIIIAAAA!’ she screeched.

‘Hello, Electra!’ she said, as my youngest daughter knocked the breath out of my eldest. ‘Oh, I’ve missed you.’

‘Yeah, us too,’ Electra continued. ‘You know, Tiggy found a stray cat, and it lives upstairs with her, but Ally’s allergic and CeCe said that wasn’t fair so—’

‘Woah, E, slow down. I can’t wait to hear all the news. Come on, let’s get up to the house. You can help with my bags!’

Claudia had prepared Maia’s favourite – chilli con carne – and the conversation at dinner had focused on my eldest daughter’s exciting new life. Initially, I had been thrilled to hear of her experiences away from Atlantis. She has grown up to be a somewhat reserved young lady, but I know she has so much to offer. During her first two years at university, Maia has really begun to blossom.

‘Do you go out at night?’ CeCe asked.

‘Sometimes we do,’ Maia replied. ‘My flatmates Samantha and Tom are bigger party animals than I am, though.’

Electra sat up in her chair. ‘When I go to university, I’m going to go out every night,’ she proudly exclaimed.

‘I don’t think that’s unlikely,’ Ally said with a smirk.

Tiggy frowned. ‘Can you have pets there?’

‘Ooh, I’m not sure actually, Tigs. I know a girl who has a goldfish. But I’m not sure that Bagheera the cat would be too welcome.’ Maia giggled.

Tiggy shrugged. ‘Oh. Well, maybe I won’t go to university then.’

‘I’d look after him for you,’ Star offered quietly.

‘Ew, no you won’t,’ CeCe snapped back. ‘He’s not sleeping in our room, Star. He smells weird.’

‘Please, CeCe. Do not speak to your sister like that,’ I interjected. ‘Now, I would like to propose a toast. Firstly, to your eldest sister, Maia, who is on track to receive a first-class result at the end of this year. And secondly, to Ally’ – my second-eldest daughter shot me a look – ‘because, and I’m sure she won’t mind me sharing this with you, she has today received an early offer from the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève to study the flute. They wish to give her a scholarship.’

Ally reddened. ‘Pa, tonight’s about Maia!’ she hissed.

‘Ally!’ Maia said with genuine enthusiasm. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! That’s amazing news!’

‘Wow! Ally! Well done!’ Tiggy beamed.

‘Thank you,’ she replied sheepishly.

‘I am so proud of my two eldest daughters, as I am of you all. So let’s raise our glasses to one another tonight. We are the most amazing family. Hip hip . . .’

‘Hooray!’ replied the table.

Ma began to pour out some more wine for myself and the two eldest girls. ‘You are all so like your pa, in your own ways.’

‘Don’t insult the poor girls, Ma. They’re far more interesting than I am.’

‘Speaking of interesting,’ CeCe said, ‘do you have a boyfriend yet, Maia? Ma thinks you do.’

‘CeCe!’ Ma shouted.

‘What? You were talking about it the other day.’

Maia raised her eyebrows at Marina. ‘Were you indeed, Ma?’

‘I . . . was just making conversation with your sister.’ She eyeballed CeCe. ‘Private conversation.’

‘So what gives you that idea, Ma?’ Maia asked, taking a deliberately slow sip of her wine.

Marina blushed. ‘Well, whenever we talk on the phone, you sound sort of . . . happy. I thought that, just maybe, you might have a young man in your life . . .’ She shrugged.

‘Yeah! So do you?’ CeCe pushed.

‘CeCe!’ Star admonished her outspoken sister.

‘What?’ she replied. ‘We all want to know! Don’t we?’

This led to an emission of giggles around the table. ‘I’m not sure I want to know, girls!’ I groaned, which led to even more laughter.

‘Oh, tell us, Maia, go on!’ begged Tiggy.

‘Yeah, tell us! Tell us, tell us!’ Electra began to chant.

Maia looked to Ally, who shrugged at her, as if to say, the cat is out of the bag.

‘All right, all right. Pa, cover your ears.’

I laughed. ‘It’s all right, my darling, I’m sure I can take it. As long as he doesn’t have tattoos. Or ride a motorcycle.’ There was an awkward pause, and Ally exploded with laughter. ‘Oh no,’ I replied, putting my hands over my eyes in a display of melodrama. ‘Come on then, give me the bad news. How many tattoos does he have?’

‘Just one, Pa. I think it’s pretty tasteful,’ Maia replied coyly.

I sighed. ‘I’m sure. Dare I ask what of?’

‘It’s just a little lightning bolt,’ Maia said.

‘I knew it!’ CeCe said. ‘She does have a boyfriend!’ The table erupted in a cacophony of squeals and cheers.

Maia put her hands up to quell the excitement. ‘Well, I don’t know if he’s my boyfriend,’ she qualified.

‘But are you going out?’ Tiggy asked, eyes agog.

‘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’s not as 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 way out 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.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ I panted.

‘Neither do I, Atlas. Let me get you a drink.’ Marina crossed to the decanter which contained a Macallan single malt, imported especially from the Scottish Highlands. ‘I do not suppose there is much point in wondering if it is a coincidence.’

‘No. Think of all the universities on the planet. Kreeg’s boy just somehow ends up at Maia’s, and becomes her boyfriend? It cannot be chance. This is targeted, I am sure of it.’ I sat down in my chair, and Marina handed me the whisky. ‘Cheers.’ I clinked her glass, and we both took a swig. The warm mellow spirit helped to fortify me. ‘What’s the purpose of it, Ma? To send a message? To let me know that he’s watching me? Or worse. What if he intends to harm the girls? Oh dear, my little Maia . . .’ I put my head on my desk. Marina rubbed my back.

‘Please try to remain calm, Atlas. We do not have the full picture yet.’

‘I was about to call Georg to get an update on Kreeg himself.’

There was another knock at the door, and I looked up. ‘Are you all right, Pa? I just wanted to check on you.’ The voice belonged to Maia.

‘Let her in,’ Marina mouthed to me. I crossed to the study door, breathed in deeply, and smiled widely before opening it.

‘Hello, Maia!’ I said, with probably a touch too much enthusiasm. ‘I’m so sorry I had to leave the table on your first night back. I just began to feel a little wobbly, that’s all. As I said, it’s only a bit of sunstroke.’ She entered the room, and I closed the door behind her.

‘If you say so, Pa.’ She looked at the whisky glasses on my desk. ‘But everyone really does think it’s because I mentioned my . . . boyfriend.’

I vehemently shook my head. ‘No, Maia, absolutely not. I encourage all of you to find love. As I have told you before, it is the only thing that makes life worth living.’

‘It’s just . . . you seemed fine, then I mentioned Zed, and suddenly you were standing up to leave.’

I gave her a hug, but she was an unwilling recipient. ‘It’s just a funny turn, my darling, that’s all. I’m all right, aren’t I, Ma?’

Ma nodded. ‘Oh yes, your pa will be right as rain. Please go back and enjoy your chilli. Claudia made it especially for you.’

‘All right, Ma.’ She went to leave, but turned to me before reaching the door. ‘I promise you, Zed is the sweetest man I’ve ever met. He asks so many questions about my sisters, and you, and Atlantis . . . I never thought someone could be so interested in my life!’ She giggled and left.

‘Oh dear,’ was all I could muster.

‘Come on, sit back down. You look as white as a sheet,’ Ma said, guiding me back into the chair, where I sat for a while, my head in my hands.

‘No doubt Kreeg has asked him to probe Maia for info on Atlantis. I just hope she hasn’t given Zed the exact details of its location.’

‘Even if she has, please remember that you have prepared for such an event.’

‘You’re right,’ I replied. ‘But I haven’t had the escape routes checked in over a decade.’ I shook my head. ‘I thought he’d let me be.’

‘I too, chéri.’

I drummed my fingers on the desk. ‘It’s no good sitting here and panicking. Firstly, I want us to inspect all the hidden areas of the house. I need to make sure the lifts are in working order, and the lights in the tunnels which lead to the boathouse are working too.’ I stood up and poured another whisky. I offered to do the same for Marina, but she declined. ‘I’ll have Georg increase the surveillance on Kreeg himself, too. I don’t want us to be sitting ducks. I’ll also put my search for Elle on hold for a while. God forbid that Eszu arrives at Atlantis and I’m not here to protect the girls.’

‘Do you really think he would hurt them? Your innocent children?’

‘I don’t know what he’s capable of. I worry that for him, nothing is off limits.’

‘Then you are wise to be as cautious as you are.’ Marina took my hand. ‘We will protect them, Atlas. Together.’