The Keeper of Secrets by Amanda Brooke Read Free Book Online Page B

into their glasses. ‘We could open another one?’ Angie suggested.
    Elle shook her head solemnly. ‘Rick doesn’t like me drunk.’
    â€˜I’ve got news for you – you already are.’ They both giggled. ‘When was the last time you did exactly what you wanted?’
    Elle frowned as she tried to find her way through a fuzzy maze of memories. ‘Ten years ago, maybe?’ She was thinking back to her time at Alder Hey. She hadn’t only loved the job but the social life too. Her parents may have disapproved on occasion but that hadn’t stopped her being her own woman back then. ‘I miss being a nurse,’ she confessed with a drunken slur. ‘I miss using my brain.’
    â€˜You’re still qualified, aren’t you? Can’t you go back to it now that Charlie’s at school and you don’t have any other responsibilities?’ Angie asked, being diplomatic enough not to mention the two responsibilities she had in mind who were both in their graves.
    â€˜Elle has plenty of responsibilities and she takes them seriously.’ The sound of Rick’s voice made both women jump.
    It was Angie that asked the question playing on both their minds. ‘How long have you been standing there?’
    â€˜Why? Is there a reason for you to feel guilty? And you’re right, Elle, being drunk doesn’t suit you. You haven’t got the constitution to keep up with some I could mention.’
    â€˜I think he means me,’ Angie whispered loudly. She was never one to sidestep an argument. ‘But you can’t blame me for leading your wife astray this time. If Elle had gone out as planned, she would have been driving, as usual, and wouldn’t have gotten into this sorry mess. So what was the big emergency?’
    â€˜A work thing. Nothing you’d be interested in these days. Now, do you think you can manage to call a taxi for yourself, or would you like me to do it?’ he asked, deliberately ignoring the fact that Angie was standing in front of him dressed in a onesie and unashamedly twirling her tiger tail.
    â€˜I can do it,’ Angie said as she turned her back on Rick to retrieve her mobile from her bag. She raised a meaningful eyebrow to Elle but thankfully didn’t challenge Rick’s false alibi.
    â€˜I’d better check on Charlie. I don’t suppose you have, Elle,’ Rick said, turning on his heel without another word.
    â€˜If you do ever decide to use that wonderful, under-employed brain of yours,’ Angie whispered, ‘then you and Charlie are welcome to come and stay with me. My new pad has a guest room.’
    Elle told Angie that she shouldn’t worry and that she was happy with her lot. The truth was she couldn’t face dealing with the future when so much in the past remained to be confronted. She was ready to start pulling at the final thread of her dad’s life, but only time would tell how much of her own life would unravel along with it.

8
    The hardest part about arranging the meeting was providing Rick with sufficient excuse to return to Knotty Ash one last time. Considering how much he had complained about the quote they had received from the clearance company, Elle thought he would be more than happy for her to clear out the clutter as agreed. But after Angie’s visit, Rick had become far more interested in her daytime activities than ever before and the more she argued that she should go, the more convinced he was that she shouldn’t. It was hard to tell who was the most surprised when she put her foot down and said she was going with or without his approval.
    Elle worked at a frenetic pace to have the house cleared before midday. She dropped the last few bags of clothing off at a charity shop on her way into Liverpool city centre, parked the car and set off towards the Pier Head. The restaurant at Mann Island was Angie’s suggestion and was discreet enough not to risk