All My Secrets by Sophie McKenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

daily chores. However, outside your
duties and sessions with staff, you’re free to roam wherever you want on the island. I’m afraid swimming is forbidden, for your own safety; the rocks in the sea around the island can be
lethal.’
    ‘I wouldn’t go swimming in the ocean anyway,’ Anna breathes. ‘It’s far too scary.’
    I look down, suppressing the shiver that runs through me at the thought of the cold, dark, dangerous water.
    ‘You also need to be careful of the caves and bays where the tide can easily trap you unawares, and some of the rocks overlooking the sea are dangerous too, sheer drops to the
water.’
    As Miss Bunnock continues, Kit moves closer so our shoulders are almost touching. The blood pumps furiously against my temples as Miss Bunnock explains that if we refuse to take part in the
Lightsea programme the punishment will be Quiet Time, ‘a period of solitary and silent reflection undertaken in isolation, usually while carrying out additional chores’.
    ‘Weird, but not the worst, I guess,’ Kit whispers in my ear.
    I nod as Miss Bunnock talks on. At least if she’s droning on, I don’t have to work out what on earth to say to Kit.
    ‘Dinner is served at 5.30 pm promptly,’ Miss Bunnock continues. ‘Though tonight’s meal has been delayed until six due to Evie’s late arrival.’ My cheeks flush
as everyone looks at me. Miss Bunnock clears her throat. ‘Free time after dinner, then it’s bedtime at eight-thirty and—’
    ‘
What?
’ Pepper shrieks. ‘You’re having a laugh, aren’t you? And why’s dinner so early?’
    ‘Yes, Miss,’ Josh adds drily. ‘It’s so early it’s practically breakfast.’
    Everyone except Kit and Miss Bunnock giggles.
    ‘Bedtime at eight-thirty with lights out at nine sharp,’ Miss Bunnock carries on.
    ‘But . . . but it’ll still be
daylight
at 9PM,’ Pepper protests. Beside her, Josh groans.
    ‘Not for long,’ Miss Bunnock announces, as if making the sun set earlier is part of her programme for us. ‘By next week, sunset in this part of Scotland will be
before
nine. Anyway, you need the sleep; you will be rising early ready for morning meditation at six-thirty. Our aim is to send you back to your parents in a healthy sleeping pattern.’
    This time everyone groans.
    ‘The rota for chores is pinned up in the kitchen. So it only remains for me to welcome you and to urge you to make the most of your stay here.’ She pauses. ‘Any
questions?’
    Silence. Kit is still standing next to me. I can feel his presence even though I’m not looking at him. As Miss Bunnock walks out, I glance around. He’s gazing out of the window. How
can I get him to talk to me again? I clear my throat and point to the smart-looking watch on his wrist. It’s black, with three interconnecting faces and lots of dials.
    ‘Is that watch your luxury item?’ I ask, my cheeks burning.
    ‘It is,’ he says. I’m suddenly aware that his accent is very upper class. ‘But it’s much more than a watch. It has a compass, a heart-rate monitor and it’s
waterproof as well.’
    ‘That’ll come in handy if you fall off the rocks and can’t work out which direction to swim back to shore in,’ Josh drawls, a big grin on his face. ‘Where
d’you get it, Scout Camp?’
    I smile too – there’s something infectious about Josh’s grin – but Kit bristles. I suddenly realise the others are watching us. I take in their faces one by one: Pepper,
all cheekbones and raised eyebrows, pale, shy Anna and the third, sandyhaired boy whose name I don’t yet know. I turn to Josh. He looks cool in his black clothes. Fun. I’m sure he
didn’t mean to upset Kit.
    ‘The watch was a present from my brother actually,’ Kit says with a scowl. He turns to me. ‘What’s your luxury, Evie?’
    All five of them look at me. I gulp, the heat rising in my face. How can I tell them about Irina’s ballet shoes? The last thing I want is to explain how Andrew and Janet kept her a