The Secrets Club Read Online Free PDF Page B

in one way because it means the two
of them aren’t constantly checking up on me. But it’s bad too, because
it’s pretty obvious they really like each other.
    Today they are yacking away together
like nobody’s business over cups of filter coffee, catching up on all the
news. I hang about for a bit wondering when it will be safe for me to slip away. But
just as I’m sidling out of the door Mum, who has eyes in the back of her head,
says, ‘Where do you think you’re going?’
    ‘Thought I’d just pop out
for a bit.’
    Mum stares at me. ‘Where
to?’
    ‘Just out. The park.
Wherever.’
    She checks her watch. ‘Before
lunch?’
    ‘I’m not hungry.’
    ‘She gets bored hanging round here
all day with nothing to do, don’t you, Dani, love?’ says Gran.
    ‘Take Jade with you then,’
says Mum, but I
answer quickly,
‘She’s reading. You don’t want to come, do you, Jade?’ and
my sister, on the sofa where’s she’s stretched out with a book,
predictably shakes her head.
    ‘See you later,’ I say and
I’m out of the door and away down the hill before my mum can object further. I
resist the temptation to check my appearance in the ladies’ loos; no need any
more, I must look sufficiently boyish because I’ve got away with masquerading
as one for long enough. As I enter the park I can see most of the lads already
assembled on the big patch of grass between the trees and my heart beats faster.
There’s about fourteen of us now. I can’t wait to play.
    Today Ryan’s Uncle Terry is
watching us carefully. He’s been brilliant, helping us to register the team
for the league and coaching us each week. He used to play for West Park Wanderers
and he’s really good. At the end of play today he’s going to select the
team for our first proper game as Blackett Juniors in two weeks’ time.
    He divides us into two teams and we get
straight in. A pass from Lofty gives me possession
of the ball and though Ryan bears down on me I outwit first him,
then Nathan. A flick to Vikram and he takes a shot at goal (two hoodies, required
distance apart) only to be foiled by Sean who flings his body across to save it. We
don’t let up though and by half-time it’s three–nil and I’ve
scored two of them. Terry gives me the thumbs-up. This is ace.
    I’m getting my breath back and
enjoying a swig of water from Ryan’s bottle when suddenly I freeze. Strolling
along the path, not twenty metres away from me, are my mum and Gran, with my sister
trailing behind them. They walk straight past us, deep in conversation, but Jade
looks up and our eyes meet. She comes to a stop and opens her mouth to say
something. I put my finger to my lips and shake my head, my eyes pleading. She darts
a look at Mum and Gran and back to me and nods, then hurries on after them.
    ‘Who’s that?’ asks
Ryan who’s witnessed it all.
    ‘My sister.’
    ‘What’s with all the
secrecy?’
    ‘I’m not supposed to be
playing football,’
I say shortly.
‘I didn’t want her to tell my mum.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Don’t ask,’ I mutter
and wander away from his questions till we’re ready to start the second half.
Terry swaps in some people who didn’t get a game in the first half but I get
to stay on. I wish I hadn’t, I’m rubbish. I’m shaken to the core
by the close shave I’ve just had and my concentration is shot to pieces as I
keep an eye out for Mum and Gran in case they walk back. There’s no sign of
them though and in the end we scrape a win, four–three, no thanks to me.
    ‘Right then, lads, over
here,’ calls Terry, and everyone runs to him obediently, eager to find out if
they’ve made the team. I know I haven’t. I’ve blown it by my
performance in the second half. Terry’s next words confirm my fears.
    ‘What happened to you,
Danny?’
    ‘Dunno,’ I say glumly.
‘Think I just got tired.’
    ‘Hmm.’ Terry shakes his head
and Ryan looks as disappointed as I do.
    Maybe it was for the best. I was never
going to