The Keeper of Secrets by Amanda Brooke

Author:Amanda Brooke [Brooke, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Fiction
Amazon: B00DTKZJUY
Goodreads: 18326005
Publisher: Harper
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

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 bumping into anyone who might know Rick.

The light refreshing breeze cooled her down and cleared her mind as she walked along the Strand. On her left was the Albert Dock and she caught a glimpse of a bright yellow boat packed with tourists. The thought of the tour guide giving his running commentary on the sights as well as the history of the Liverpool docks brought a smile to her face. She had taken Charlie on the boat tour with her parents when he was a toddler and he had loved it. They all had, her dad most of all because he had quickly discovered a captive audience and regaled his fellow travellers with stories of his adventures on the high seas. Her mum had been mortified and felt sorry for the poor guide, who could barely get a word in, and had held back to speak to him when they were disembarking. ‘It’s such a shame,’ she had told him kindly, without the hint of the lie she was about to impart: ‘the biggest boat he’s ever been on is the Mersey ferry.’ The look of shock on the tour guide’s face was nothing compared to Harry’s when she confessed a short time later.

The laughter and the sunshine from that day were hard but not impossible to recall as Elle neared the waterfront. The wind began to intensify until eventually she was struggling to walk in a straight line. It was going to be a real challenge for anyone less sprightly and she wondered if her choice of venue had been a good idea. But then the whole meeting could prove to be nothing but a big mistake.

She arrived at the Brasco Lounge with ten minutes to spare. Once through the doors, the contrast with the outside world was stark. The shabby-chic decor with its bare-wood tables and mismatched chairs was warm and welcoming, although not quite relaxing enough to quell Elle’s nerves. She checked the scattering of windswept customers who were holding onto steaming cups and chatting to their companions.

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