Donda, Jayrak

Siblings: Hayrak Donda
​Consorts: Hayda Loral

Hayda's nanny is a young man called Jay, who instantly strikes up a rapport with Nadine. At first, he accepts payment but gradually begins to decline payment, offering to maintain the household in return for Hayda teaching him how to read (as he is illiterate). Hayda, relishing the company, agrees and begins to teach him. Hayda is at first cold and distant, but slowly they develop a bond, beginning when Hayda offers him coffee in exchange for him mowing the lawn.

When Nadine returns to boarding school, Hayda begins to spend increasing amounts of time with the young Jay. At the same time, Hayda learns to communicate with Hayrak through Velma, and Hayrak encourages her to spend more time with Jay. Hayda and Jay spend the night together, and Hayda realises that she remembers him but cannot recall from where or when. Eventually, it transpires that Jay is Hayrak's younger brother, Jayrak Donda. Hayda is distraught and feels torn between the two brothers.

Finally, Hayda realises that what she feels for Jay is not love; it’s fear. She walks away from Jay and flees to Roscoff on the north coast of France, where she starts a new life. Jay inherits her business and tries to take her money, but is interceded by Velma who reveals that Hayrak didn’t die of liver failure; he was murdered by his brother. Jay attempts to rape Velma, but Hayda arrives, and, guided by the spirit of Hayrak, manages to trap him. Jay is imprisoned, and Hayda, realising that there is nothing left for her in Paris, entrusts the business to Velma and returns to Roscoff, where she opens a guesthouse by the sea called ‘Conch Des Sirènes’ and speculates whether she will ever feel love again.