Summer of Secrets Read Free Page B

deep…”
    â€œSometimes there’s secrets you just have to keep.”
    Rhi glanced at Brody, startled. Was he adding to the lyric, or was it more than that? Her stomach flopped uncomfortably. He was looking right back at her with an expression on his face that she’d never seen before. He seemed … frightened .
    â€œAre you OK?” she felt compelled to ask.
    The look had vanished. She wondered if she’d imagined it as he looked down at his watch.
    â€œI need to buy a new string,” he said. “I have to go.”
    â€œYou bought a box of them only a couple of weeks ago,” Rhi pointed out.
    He wouldn’t meet her eye. ‘I, uh – you’re right, but … I don’t seem to have them with me. I’m going to head home.”
    Rhi could have sworn the box of strings was in his bag. She’d seen them in there only yesterday. It’s me , she thought with a lurch. He knows I’m keeping something from him…
    He was almost at the door already. “See you at the Grand Hotel later.”
    â€œBrody?” Rhi said.
    But he had gone.

FOUR
    Numbly, Rhi listened to the sound of Brody’s footsteps hurrying away down the stairs. It sounded like he was taking the steps two at a time, like he couldn’t wait to get away from her.
    It was the last straw in a difficult morning. Rhi burst into tears, screwing her fists into her eyes. She didn’t need to be a genius to work out that she’d upset Brody. His face had looked almost waxen when he had left. She’d somehow managed to break the most precious thing in her life. The one thing that kept her sane.
    He knows I’m keeping secrets . The thought made Rhi cry harder. She hated the guilt that Mac’s letter had brought back. The memories… The terror of the impending exams… Her parents dropping that bombshell about her dad moving out. And now this.
    I can’t bear it , she thought in a mist of pain.
    She cried until her eyes were red-raw.
    The attic door opened.
    â€œRhi!”
    Her dad ran across the room and put his arms around her as she gasped for breath.
    â€œBaby, don’t cry. Please don’t cry. You’re breaking my heart. I’m so sorry about this morning…” He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I saw your music friend as he was leaving – he told me where I would find you. I should have known you’d come here, shouldn’t I?”
    â€œMy life’s such a mess,” Rhi sobbed in his arms. When – how – had everything gone so wrong?
    He stroked her hair. “You’re not the only one, darling. I’m so, so sorry. You weren’t supposed to find out like that. Your mother and I have tried to keep things going for your sake, but it’s no good. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but it’s over. The truth of it is, it’s been over since before Ruth died.”
    Rhi hiccuped. “Since … before Ruth?”
    â€œI was planning to leave in the weeks before the accident.” His eyes looked haunted as he stared at her, willing her to understand. “But … when it happened I couldn’t do it. I felt too guilty. You needed me, and your mum … Well, I thought she needed me too. But it turned out that she didn’t. And I can’t do it any more, honey. I just can’t.”
    He was crying too, Rhi noticed.
    â€œI understand, Dad,” she found herself saying. “Honestly, I do.”
    â€œThank you,” he said quietly.
    He looked tired and old. In need of looking after. The thought of him alone while she was stuck in the house with her mother suddenly overwhelmed Rhi.
    â€œCan I come and live with you in your new flat?” she blurted. “I can go home right now and pack and—”
    â€œYou have exams to think about,” he interrupted, wiping his tears away with the backs of his hands. “My flat’s a mess, Rhi. Your mother’s right