The Keeper of Secrets by Amanda Brooke Read Free Book Online

later, Elle was standing in the kitchen in her pyjamas, making cocoa for Charlie and one for herself. The deal was that he could have extra marshmallows as long as he please, please, please went to bed without complaint. She needed some time to herself.
    By the time the doorbell rang an hour or so later, Charlie had been true to his word and was in bed, supposedly fast asleep. Elle pretended not to hear his bedroom door creak open as he tried to spy who was calling at such a late hour. It was nine o’clock and she was wondering the same thing herself.
    â€˜Fancy a girl’s night in?’ asked Angie, dangling a bottle of wine that glinted in the headlights of the taxi that had just dropped her off.
    Elle’s usual reaction would have been a polite refusal, but still smarting at having been denied one of her few pleasures she threw the door open wide. Rick wasn’t going to like this, she told herself as she lined up two large wine glasses on the kitchen counter. ‘There’s another bottle chilling in the fridge if we run out,’ she said.
    â€˜And by the wicked smile on your face I’d say we’re going to need it,’ Angie remarked. ‘But if I’d known it was a pyjama party, I’d have come prepared.’
    â€˜Would you believe that less than two hours ago I was looking almost as glamorous as you?’ Elle said.
    Angie wasn’t as tall as Elle or as slender but she showed off her curves with confidence in a red dress that clashed brazenly with her fuchsia-tinted hair. Though she was only a couple of years younger, she made Elle feel old and frumpy by comparison.
    â€˜You could be twice as glamorous as me, given half a chance.’
    The poorly disguised dig at Rick was dutifully ignored. ‘Maybe I should go up and change, or …’ Elle began as her sense of mischief bloomed with the first mouthful of wine, ‘… you could join me?’
    Without waiting for an answer she disappeared upstairs, returning two minutes later with a garment that would be immediately familiar to Angie.
    â€˜That’s the onesie I bought you for Christmas – and it still has the label on it!’
    Elle was grinning from ear to ear, totally unabashed. ‘Were you really expecting me to wear something you wouldn’t wear yourself?’
    Angie took the dare, kicking off her shoes and hiking up her dress as she stepped into the tiger print all-in-one complete with tail and a pair of ears on the hood. She twirled the tail and began to purr, but not for long because both women soon doubled up in laughter.
    â€˜I’m so glad you’re here, you really are a tonic,’ Elle told her as she wiped tears from her eyes. ‘But I am sorry you had to forgo your night out.’
    â€˜Oh, I’ve got plenty of opportunity for nights on the town now I’m free and single,’ Angie said, although she didn’t make it sound like a good thing. ‘So what was Rick’s emergency anyway?’
    â€˜He was out the door before I had the chance to ask. It’s probably work-related.’ It was Elle’s turn to sound unconvinced.
    Angie swallowed a mouthful of wine with a satisfied gulp before picking up her phone. ‘Only one way to find out.’
    Elle sat open-mouthed as Angie phoned her estranged husband. She had always been a little jealous of the way Angie and Chris had been so at ease in each other’s company. There were no holds barred in their conversations, which had perhaps been their downfall, but as she listened to them talking now, the relaxed tone was still something to be envied.
    â€˜Why did you two split up again?’ Elle asked when Angie finished the call.
    Angie shrugged her shoulders. ‘I left and the bastard let me go, but I do believe we were talking about you. Whatever it was that made Rick take off in such a hurry had nothing to do with work, though I think you already knew that. While he’s allowed to