‘I’m off,’ she said. ‘My agency said they’ll sue me if I’m not there at the shoot tomorrow morning.’

‘Of course.’

‘Hey.’ Electra cocked her head to one side. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes, I’m fine.’

‘Listen, now you have no Pa to mind here, why don’t you pop over to La-La Land and come and stay with me and Mitch for a while? There’s a great little guest house in the garden, and really, you’re welcome to it anytime.’

‘Thanks, Electra. Keep in touch, won’t you?’

“Course I will. So, see you soon,’ she said as we reached the jetty and saw that CeCe and Star were just getting off the boat.

‘Hi guys,’ said CeCe, and her smile told me that her mission in Geneva had obviously been successful.

‘Are you leaving, Electra?’ Star asked.

‘I have to get back to LA. Some of us have to work for a living, you know,’ she said pointedly and I knew the comment was meant for CeCe.

‘Well, at least some of us are using our brains, not our bodies to earn it,’ CeCe retorted, as Ally arrived on the jetty with Tiggy.

‘Now, now, girls, surely this is the moment to be there for each other? Bye, Electra.’ Ally walked to her sister and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Let’s try to arrange to see each other soon.’

‘Sure,’ Electra agreed as she kissed Star, but ignored CeCe. ‘Are you ready, Tiggy?’

‘Yes,’ Tiggy said, having embraced the rest of her sisters and made her way over to Star. As she hugged her, I saw Tiggy whisper in Star’s ear and Star whisper back.

‘Right, let’s get going,’ ordered Electra. ‘I can’t afford to miss my flight.’

I watched as Tiggy and Electra stepped onto the boat and, as the engine hummed, we four remaining sisters waved them off, then turned and walked back up to the house.

‘I think Star and I might be on our way later too,’ commented CeCe.

‘Really? Couldn’t we stay a little longer?’ asked Star plaintively.

‘What’s the point? Pa’s gone, we’ve seen the lawyer and we need to get to London as soon as possible to find somewhere to live.’

‘You’re right,’ said Star.

‘What will you do with yourself in London while CeCe’s at art school?’ asked Ally.

‘I’m not quite sure yet,’ replied Star.

‘You’re thinking of taking a cordon bleu course, aren’t you, Star? She’s an amazing cook, you know,’ CeCe added to me. ‘Right, I’m off to see about flights. I know there’s an eight o’clock from Geneva to Heathrow, which would suit us perfectly. See you later.’

I stood with Ally as we watched both girls walk into the house.

‘Don’t say it,’ I sighed, ‘I know.’

‘I always thought it was a positive thing that they were so close when we were all growing up,’ said Ally. ‘They’re the middle girls and it was good they had each other.’

‘I remember Pa suggesting they go to separate schools, and then Star sobbing hysterically and begging him to let her go with CeCe,’ I mused.