All My Secrets Read Free Page B

your dad had already told my parents
– your grandparents – they weren’t welcome in your life. So they – all of us – we backed off.’
    It’s like a punch. ‘My dad told them to stay away from me?
Why?
’
    Gavin shrugs. ‘Guess he didn’t want the reminders of Irina.’ He narrows his eyes. ‘How much has he told you about her?’
    ‘Nothing.’ The word explodes out of me. ‘He won’t talk to me about her at all.’
    ‘So how do you know about me? In fact, how come you’re here?’
    I take a deep breath and launch into an explanation of everything that happened following Mr Treeves’ knock on the door. Gavin listens intently, wide-eyed when I tell him about the
ten-million-pounds and appalled that I’ve been given so little information.
    ‘I can’t believe Andrew is keeping everything from you, darling,’ he says. ‘I
totally
understand why you felt you had to come here.’
    ‘Thank you.’ Tears prick at my eyes. ‘I just really want to find out more about Irina. I saw your fan site for her. It’s obvious you and she were really close.’
    ‘Not so close that she told me she had ten mill to leave anyone,’ Gavin says with a grin. ‘I knew she was a successful ballerina, but not
that
successful. That’s
some inheritance.’
    ‘I don’t think it was anywhere near that much money to begin with. Mr Treeves said it was a good investment.’
    ‘I’ll say it was.’ Gavin raises his eyebrows. ‘Look, darling, I’m happy to tell you everything I can about your mother. I’ve tried to keep her memory alive
and I’ve still got a few of her bits and pieces I expect you’d like to take a look at.’
    ‘Oh yes, please,’ I breathe.
    ‘Well, why don’t you stay here tonight? I have to go out for a bit, but I’ve got a spare room and I am your uncle after all and . . . well, I’ve got sixteen years of
uncle stuff to make up for.’
    I hesitate. In so far as I’d thought about it at all, I’d assumed that I’d have to find a room in a hostel for the night. All I knew was that I couldn’t go home without
finding out more about Irina. But here was Gavin offering me a bed for the night
and
information. It was more than I could have hoped for.
    ‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Yes, definitely.’
    I switch on my phone, send Andrew and Janet another text, reassuring them that I’m fine, then turn it off again. Gavin goes out, leaving me leafing through another photo album. He returns
within the hour, carrying a couple of pizzas. He puts on a DVD of Irina dancing
Giselle
and I watch, transfixed, as my mother skips and pirouettes across the stage on screen.
    ‘Oh, she was beautiful,’ I gasp.
    After the DVD finishes and our pizzas are eaten, Gavin fetches a small, faded canvas bag. ‘Here.’ He offers it to me. ‘I think you should have these.’
    Excited, I open the bag and take out two pink ballet shoes. The leather is creased and worn and exquisitely soft.
    ‘They were Irina’s,’ Gavin says. ‘Her favourite pair. I was going to sell them with some of the other memorabilia, but I’ve never quite been able to bring myself
to.’ His voice grows shaky. I’m suddenly aware that it isn’t just me who has lost someone here. Gavin is all alone, without his parents or his sister.
    ‘Thank you,’ I say.
    Gavin nods. ‘No problemo, darling.’ He shows me to my bedroom, a white-painted room with green furniture which he says once belonged to Irina. It’s old and quirky and I love it
instantly. I get into bed, feeling ridiculously at home. It makes sense, I guess. After all, Gavin and I are family and this room is full of furniture my own mother chose and loved. I just
hadn’t expected to feel like I belonged so quickly.
    It crosses my mind that maybe I should send Andrew and Janet another text to let them know where I am and that I’m still OK, but, as soon as the thought arrives, it passes. I lie down,
clutching Irina’s ballet shoes. There’s something comforting about the soft