Secrets Read online

  ‘That’s enough, India! Less of the smart talk. Just eat!’

  ‘For God’s sake, leave the kid alone, Moya,’ said Dad. ‘She can’t help it if she can’t stick rabbit food.’

  He gave me a significant wink to show me that he understood that pasta and ice-cream were my favourites. He wasn’t making much headway with his own salad, though Mum allowed three slices of honey-glazed ham on his plate. It’s a wonder she hadn’t carved them into three little pink pigs.

  We sat there, staring at our plates. Mum toyed with her own salad, eating with her fork in her right hand, American style, because she thinks it’s more dainty. Wanda put her own fork down and asked if she could be excused as she was going out early with Suzi.

  ‘Thank goodness,’ said Mum, when Wanda was scarcely out of earshot. ‘That girl is so depressing. I think we’re going to have to get rid of her.’

  I looked at Dad. He chewed his ham, his face carefully expressionless. Then he swallowed.

  ‘Yes, she is a bit of a drag,’ he said. ‘See if you can find some kind way of sending her packing. Concern for her health, shame that she’s homesick, something along those lines.’

  I couldn’t believe it. He was betraying Wanda so casually. He didn’t love her one little bit. He was bored with her so Mum was doing him a big favour. I felt so sorry for Wanda, even though I don’t like her much either and don’t really want her to stay.

  ‘What is it, India?’ Mum said.

  I realized I’d been sighing. Dad looked at me anxiously.

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘I do wish you’d buck up a bit. You seem so doleful recently. Bella says you’ve been writing really weird letters to Miranda.’

  I felt my face flush as pink as Dad’s ham.

  ‘What do you mean, weird? And how does Bella know? Does Miranda show them to her?’

  ‘Now now, calm down. Why do you always have to get in such a state about things? Miranda just happened to mention that you sounded rather lonely. You said you were missing her a great deal.’

  ‘No I’m not. I don’t miss her one little bit.’

  ‘Oh, India. Typical! I’ve just been trying to fix up for us to have Miranda to stay one weekend.’

  ‘Well you can unfix things, Mum, because I can’t stick Miranda. I’ve got another friend now.’

  I couldn’t stop my tongue saying it. Mum looked up. Even Dad seemed interested. They both had their heads tilted to one side to indicate a question. I knew I couldn’t give them any real answers.

  ‘Come on then. Tell us about her. Do you want to invite her round for tea sometime?’ said Mum.

  ‘No!’

  ‘Is she in your form at school?’

  ‘Well . . .’

  ‘What’s her name?’

  ‘Look, don’t go on about her,’ I said, and I got up and rushed out of the room.

  I heard them talking about me as I went up the stairs.

  ‘Oh dear, why does she always have to be so prickly?’ said Mum. ‘Do you think she’s really got a friend at school at last?’

  ‘That school! I simply can’t manage those school fees any more.’

  ‘Well, I’ll pay them if it’s such a problem – though I’m sure you’re exaggerating all your financial difficulties.’

  They started arguing about work and money and forgot all about me. I went upstairs and stared miserably out of my window. I thought about Anne. I love the passage in her diary where she says she can’t bear her mother and wishes she could slap her. But Anne always loves her father and looks up to him so much. I suppose I still love my dad but I can’t respect him any more.

  I leant my forehead against the cold glass, looking down the long avenue. It looked pretty bleak, grey pavement, bare brown trees, cream stucco and beige brick houses – and a little flash of red. I stared. It was Treasure! She was trudging along, her face white and screwed up, her fringe tangled, showing her ugly scar.

  I tapped on the window. She couldn’t hear me, wasn’t even looking at my house. I struggled with the safety catch, wrenching my fingers. I got it open just as she was walking past.

  ‘Treasure!’ I hissed.

  She spun round, head jerking to left and right.

  ‘I’m up here!’

  She looked up and spotted me.

  ‘India!’ she said joyfully.

  ‘Sh!’ I put my finger to my lips. ‘Wait there! I’ll be down in a sec.’

  She stood still, waiting obediently. I gave her a little wave and then flew across my bedroom, crept along the landing, and edged down the stairs.

  I didn’t want Mum and Dad to meet Treasure. I knew exactly what they’d be like. They’d think they were being sooo nice. ‘Oh, Treasure! What an unusual name! But lovely.’

  ‘Where do you live, poppet? Oh, the Latimer Estate! I’ve heard they’re really attractive flats once you get inside. They’ve got a lot of character – in their way.’

  ‘So you’re India’s friend, are you? Well, you must come and play as often as you like. Don’t feel shy, will you? You’ll always be very welcome. Really.’

  I knew what they’d say after she was gone too.

  No, I was determined to keep Treasure all to myself. Mum and Dad were still busy rowing. They’d closed the dining-room door so I couldn’t hear. That meant they couldn’t hear me! I crept across the hall, opened the door, left it on the latch, and shot down the drive to Treasure.

  ‘Treasure! This is so great! I went looking for you, but you weren’t at your nan’s. I saw him, your mum’s boyfriend, and he’s so scary!’

  ‘You can say that again,’ said Treasure. She tried to sound like she was joking but her voice wobbled.

  ‘What’s he done to you, Treasure?’

  ‘Nothing this time. I got away. But he’s still there, at Nan’s. I can’t go back. I can’t . . .’

  She started crying, though she kept wiping her eyes fiercely with her fists.

  I put my arms round her. She was shivering inside her scarlet coat. She felt so small. She made me feel big and powerful. I knew I had to protect her. I had to save her from that hateful monster. I had to hide her.

  And then it came to me.

  It was so wondrously simple.

  Treasure was like Anne Frank.

  ‘Come with me, Treasure!’ I said, tugging at her.

  ‘I – I can’t. I don’t want to meet your mum, not like this. I look a mess,’ said Treasure, sniffing and wiping.

  ‘You’re not going to meet her. You’d hate her anyway. No, you’re coming with me. But keep quiet, eh?’

  Treasure still looked doubtful, but she let me pull her up the drive and in through the door. She peered round the hall, her head swivelling.

  ‘It’s OK,’ I whispered, nodding towards the closed dining-room door. Dad and Mum were still at it. Dad said something and Mum suddenly yelled furiously. Treasure’s mouth dropped open.

  ‘Is that your mum?’ she whispered. ‘She’s swearing!’

  ‘She often does. She thinks it’s cool,’ I said scornfully. ‘Come on.’

  I took her by the hand and lead her up the stairs. Treasure peered round at all the paintings as if she was in a museum. She stopped when we got to the alabaster boy on his pedestal on the landing.

  ‘Look at his little willy!’ she giggled. She gave it a quick flick with her finger.

  ‘Come on,’ I said, pulling her past.

  I took her up the stairs again.

  ‘Your house is huge,’ said Treasure. ‘Which one’s your bedroom?’

  ‘It’s that one, but I want you to—’

  She wasn’t listening. She peeped inside my bedroom and then just stood there, silent. Her eyes blinked rapidly behind her glasses.

  ‘Oh India!’ she gasped. It was as if all the breath had been sucked out of her.

  ‘It’s a bit of a mess,’ I said quickly, shoving Edwina Bear under my pillow and kicking yesterday’s socks and knickers under my bed.

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ said Tr