Keep My Secrets by Elena Wilkes (large ebook reader .txt) 📗

I saw she was headed to that party, I knew she could get herself into some serious shit.’

Jude leaned back and folded her arms. She was seriously angry, but she was still listening. Martin could clearly sense that too.

‘Once I lost her, it didn’t take me long to realise I was out of my depth and that I had no idea what I was doing. So call it arrogance, call it inexperience, but I can tell you categorically, I’ve learned a huge lesson.’ His shoulders dropped. He sighed and shook his head. ‘Clearly I got it wrong. I got it wrong right from the beginning and for that I am so, so sorry.’

Frankie watched his performance in amazement. He looked like he truly believed his own story.

He leaned forward, his fingers linked as he shifted nervously. ‘Look, I understand totally if you think I’m not cut out for this kind of work. I fully respect whatever decision you make, Jude. Even if you suggest I stop volunteering here. I wouldn’t blame you. I totally get it.’

Jude stayed silent for a moment, looking from one to the other. Her arms unfolded and there was a shift in the atmosphere.

‘Well actually Martin, given Frankie’s past problems, this outcome is fundamentally a step forward.’ Frankie let herself breathe. ‘She didn’t stay out all night and force us to call the police as she normally would.’ She felt Jude’s beady eyes on her. ‘She got herself back home, relatively unscathed.’ She gave her another meaningful look. ‘That’s a massive plus from where we were six months ago. I’m not saying the way you behaved was right, Martin, but the result is the right result, and if you had a hand in making that happen then I commend you. But I have to tell you – no more, you understand me?’

Her gaze forced them to look at each other.

‘If there’s a next time, I will have to take it further.’

They nodded in unison and Frankie got up and walked towards the door. She paused.

‘Thank you, Jude,’ she said in a small voice.

‘Yeah, thanks Jude,’ Martin echoed.

Frankie opened the door and Nat and Jaden nearly fell head-first through the gap.

‘Show’s over,’ said Frankie sullenly. ‘You’re going to have to make your own entertainment.’

‘Ah, you two,’ Jude called out. ‘I’m glad you’re both here. Can I have a word?’

Jaden and Nat glanced at each other.

‘Oh, and Frankie? You missed the house meeting yesterday where we discussed what’s happening with Natalie. Nat, do you want to tell Frankie yourself or do you want me to tell her?’

Natalie looked steadily at Frankie. There was a pause. ‘Y’know what happened yesterday – our fight?’

‘Yeah?’ Frankie looked at her, puzzled.

‘Well, the reason everyone went bat-shit about me fallin’ over, is ‘cos I’m pregnant.’

‘What?’ Frankie stared back at her.

‘Yeah, but I’m having it adopted.’

Frankie couldn’t find the words.

‘It’s for the best.’

No one spoke. Nat stood there, chewing her cheek and then she looked away. ‘Yeah well, it’s no big deal anyway… It’s sorted now. An’ I’m sorry I went into your room and took stuff. I shouldn’t’ve… But my head’s been all over the place.’

Frankie instantly felt terrible. ‘I had no idea, Nat. I feel awful. I shouldn’t have pushed you. I’m sorry too. It was stupid. I shouldn’t have done that either.’

Nat gave a quick nod and carried on chewing. The unhappiness came off her in waves.

‘Well, there we are then.’ Jude clapped her hands and looked at them both. ‘Situation resolved, I think. With all of us.’ She included Martin in her gaze. ‘Can we all get back to some kind of normal now, is that possible?’ She smiled. ‘Okay, Nat have a seat and I’ll talk you through what’s going to happen at your appointment with the adoption caseworker, and I’ll see you two later. Close the door behind you as you leave, please.’

Frankie pulled the door shut with a click. She turned to go but Martin caught her arm.

‘Wait a minute.’

‘Take your hand off me,’ she said stiffly. ‘I’ve got nothing to say to you.’

‘Well I’ve got plenty to say to you.’

Twisting her arm out of his grasp, she stalked away from him, very aware that he was close on her heels as she stomped up the stairs.

‘I don’t want to hear it.’ She felt ill, she felt tired, she felt like crying. She reached her room knowing that part of her longed for him to say something, anything to make all this go away.

Wordlessly, he put his finger to his lips and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to go inside. She debated for a second, and then went and sat sulkily on the rumpled bed. He closed the door behind him and then came and crouched in front of her.

‘So where did you go?’ He went to touch her cheek, but she snatched her face away.

She stared ahead sullenly.

‘I came looking for you, you know that, don’t you?’

She wouldn’t even blink.

‘I know you don’t believe me, but I’m not interested in Charlotte. I was just talking to her – I was actually remarking how similar you two looked.’

‘Really.’ Her voice was dull and hard.

‘Yes, really. Then you come down the stairs and all hell broke loose.’

‘I went to your boat.’

She saw his face tighten.

‘There were lights on and then I heard voices.’

‘I always leave the lights on when I go out, and you can’t have heard—’

A terrific banging on the front door stopped them in their tracks. They both leapt up. Martin went over to the window and looked out.

‘Shit.’

‘What is it?’

She peered over his shoulder. Outside were two police cars parked askew, their lights whirling madly. The battering of the front door went on and on as though they might break it down any moment. She heard Jude’s voice and the jabber of radios.

‘Jude said… she promised she wouldn’t take last night any further,’ Frankie stammered. ‘She promised.’

Martin went out onto the landing and looked down.

‘You don’t have two cop cars and all those