TWO young girls dramatically abducted from Britain and whisked to China by their father had an emotional reunion with their mother before rushing through Kai Tak Airport on their way back to Britain last night.
The sisters returned from Shenzhen yesterday in the arms of their mother and new stepfather, Lucinda and Hector McDonald, after weeks of searching and hours of negotiation with the girls' father in a mainland hotel.
In an attempt to elude press coverage last night, Mr and Mrs McDonald - believed to have sold their story exclusively to a London tabloid - hastily checked in the children and their grandmother before boarding the flight.
The quintet checked in for the CX251 flight to London at a Cathay Pacific counter designated for passengers travelling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Both girls, their golden locks wrapped in French braids, appeared in good spirits but their mother and stepfather seemed agitated.
When approached by the Sunday Morning Post, Mr McDonald, who returned to London during the search to negotiate a media contract understood to be worth GBP10,000 to GBP20,000 (HK$122,000 to $144,000), refused to comment.
When pressed, he replied: 'We have already signed a contract,' covering both girls' faces as he led them through immigration, telling a customs officer: 'Keep them bastards away.' Mrs McDonald had wept with joy as she told the English tabloid: 'I'm so happy. I'm shaking, I can't believe I've got them both back. I feel totally numb.
'I am looking forward to getting back and to trying to get into a routine again. I know it will not happen overnight but we have got time.