Summer of Secrets by Rosie Rushton Read Free Book Online Page B

an aunt there,’ Caitlin gabbled, remembering just in time her mother’s view of cohabitation. ‘And Summer said
something about inviting other people too. Please , Mum . . .’
    ‘Lynne, she’s nearly seventeen,’ her father remarked equably. ‘It’s time she spread her wings.’
    ‘Yes, well, you would say that, you’re a man,’ said her mother. ‘But she’s very young for her years, and naïve and––’
    ‘Well, I’m not going to get to grow up if you carry on treating me like I’m still in nappies, am I?’ snapped Caitlin. ‘Besides, there’s this art project
we’ve got to do and Italy is just the best place on earth for me to guarantee getting an A star.’
    ‘Well, I suppose in that case, it would be an experience.’
    As Caitlin had hoped, the connection with schoolwork was clearly altering her mother’s perspective. Her parents had not been at all keen on letting her go to Mulberry Court – which
her father called an ‘incubator for the moneyed classes’ – but that didn’t stop them wanting her to shine now she was there.
    ‘You have to trust me, Mum – I’m not stupid,’ she added hastily, for good measure.
    Her mother smiled ruefully and nodded.
    ‘You’re right,’ she sighed. ‘OK, darling, you go and have a lovely time.’
    ‘Mum, you’re an angel!’ Caitlin leaped up, nearly knocking over the water jug and hugged her mother.
    ‘But there is one condition – we arrange to meet her father before you leave.’
    ‘Yeah, yeah, whatever,’ Caitlin said quickly. ‘Oh, and just so you know – I’ll be spending all day Friday at Izzy’s house, helping her get ready for the
party.’
    ‘Oh yes – the party. I’m not comfortable about this,’ her mother said. ‘I’ve heard about these upper-class types snorting cocaine and all sorts. You are sure her parents will be there?’
    ‘Of course they will.’ Caitlin nodded, although she hadn’t a clue where they’d be. ‘And Jamie’s going too.’
    ‘Oh well, that’s all right then,’ her mother replied, sounding relieved. ‘Jamie’s got his head screwed on the right way. I’m sure everything will be
fine.’
    ‘Sure it will. I mean, Izzy’s dad’s an MP, for heaven’s sake – he’s in charge of education. Izzy says he might be the next Home Secretary,’ Caitlin
added.
    ‘Considering the state of this government,’ remarked her father, ‘I don’t see that as any sort of recommendation.’
    ‘Italy?’ Even over the phone, Caitlin couldn’t miss the astonishment in Izzy’s voice. ‘She’s never asked anyone over for a sleepover ,
never mind a holiday.’
    ‘Well, she said––’
    ‘Not that I’d want to go,’ Izzy raced on. ‘Not with Summer and all her hang-ups. I wonder why she chose you? I’ve known her longer than you . . . Still, I’m
sure you’ll have a good time. ‘
    ‘I know! It’ll be so cool – but listen, you know you were saying about Summer’s mum dying . . .’
    ‘Oh, sugar!’ Izzy butted in. ‘My mother’s yapping at the door, insisting I go to church with her. Honestly, my parents are such hypocrites – they hardly ever went
till Pa got this cabinet post and now it’s all this “we have to lead by example” stuff. Got to go!’
    By the time term ended on Wednesday, Caitlin, to her great delight and surprise, was flavour of the month with at least half a dozen Year Elevens. Every time one of them got
stressy with Izzy and said that this whole fancy-dress thing was too complicated and why couldn’t she just have a normal hang-out type party with loads of booze and fit guys, Izzy sent them
straight to Caitlin.
    ‘She’s a whizz with costumes,’ she informed them all. ‘She’ll sort you. Of course, if you don’t want to come . . .’
    Since no one who valued their social standing for the following year would even consider falling out with Isabella Thorpe, Caitlin found herself inundated with requests for ideas.
    ‘I have to look dazzling,’