The Secrets We Keep Read Online Free PDF

sure that’s a Clem-shaped fingermark,’ he muses, looking closely at the top of the pudding.
    â€˜Thanks for getting the good chocolate, Dad.’
    â€˜Only the best for my Clem.’
    I can’t help but roll my eyes.
    â€˜So did you learn anything today?’ That’s Dad’s favourite question. He’s been asking me every night since I first started school.
    â€˜That I’m about three years behind in Italian. That I have to collaborate on a story. And that they have a real oval and a proper gym!’ I don’t bother trying to hide my enthusiasm about that.
    â€˜Sounds like a pretty good day,’ says Dad, pulling out his wallet and slapping two twenty-dollar notes on the bench. ‘The boss paid me in advance. Thought you could go shopping after school or wait until Saturday for me.’ Dad reaches out and touches my arm. ‘Just in case you want some new leggings. Either way, the money’s yours.’
    Before the fire (or BTF as I say), I pretty much had everything I ever wanted. Even though we weren’t rich, both Dad and Mum worked and, because there was just me, they were pretty generous. Plus we had a great house because Dad inherited it from his parents. But now, until the insurance money comes through – if the insurance money comes through – we don’t have much. Dad’s wage is enough to pay the rent and the bills. But there isn’t a whole lot left over.
    I slide the money back. ‘I don’t need it, Dad. I’m fine. These leggings have got another few months left in them yet.’
    He shakes his head and pushes it in my direction again. ‘Then buy a book. Or a journal. Or a huge jar of jellybeans. I don’t care. It’s yours to spend on whatever you want.’ Dad pulls on the frilly white apron and starts getting everything out of the fridge for dinner. ‘Okay?’ he says.
    When I see the huge bag of potatoes Dad’s bought I almost start to cry. Instead I drag them across to the bench, grab a knife someone gave us and our plastic chopping board that bizarrely didn’t burn in the fire, and start peeling. Suddenly I’m really, really hungry.

Chapter 5
    Day two at school is better in some ways because at least I know where I’m going. But it’s worse in other ways because it’s starting to feel real. This is where I’ll be until I finish primary school, so I have to be okay with it, but walking through the gate in the same tired pair of leggings and another of Bridge’s hand-me-down patterned tops, I have a desperate longing to be back at my old school surrounded by my old friends.
    â€˜Clem!’ calls a voice, and I know without looking that it’s Ellie. Who else would it be?
    I see her waving from the portables. I know I sound terribly ungrateful that someone I hardly know is trying to make me feel welcome, but I really don’t want to talk about mothers dying today. I wish she’d leave me alone. But no such luck.
    â€˜Hi,’ she says, running over super-fast with her crazily long legs.
    â€˜Hi,’ I say back.
    â€˜We have PE up first,’ she says warmly. ‘Thought I could show you where we have to go.’ She smiles and I feel like the nastiest girl alive.
    â€˜Thanks,’ I reply, trying to mean it.
    She links her arm through mine, like Bridge used to do with me. Normally this would be awkward because we hardly know each other, but when one of us is the height of an adult and one of us is the height of a five-year-old child at only 131 cm, it makes it even worse.
    But in a way I don’t mind because the thought of PE makes me want to tap dance on the spot. It’s my thing. I love sport. All sport. No exceptions. Okay that’s not strictly true; I’m not a fan of hurdles. But I’m going to blame my height for that. You try doing hurdles when you’re my size. It’s not easy.
    â€˜Do you like PE?’ I ask.
    She