Page 75 of Our Secrets and Lies

‘Obvs.’

‘I wore the dress you made me and everyone on the shoot in New York was asking me where I got it. It’s really gorgeous. You’re very creative as well as being intelligent – you lucky thing. It’s rare to get both.’

‘Did they really?’ Kelly was clearlythrilled.

‘Yes.’

‘Cool, thanks, Jenny.’

‘You’re welcome. Now, come on downstairs and watch a movie with me.’

‘Okay, but I’m not watchingMagic Mikeagain.’

‘But they’re all so hot.’

‘We’ve watched it tons of times. I’m choosing tonight.’

‘No mushy rom-coms,’ Jenny pleaded. ‘By the way, what’s up with your Facebook page? You never post anything, and when you do it’s really boring. You needto shake it up a bit … or is it a cover?’

‘Of course it’s not my real Facebook page. I have a different one, a proper one. The boring one is to keep Mum from snooping into my life.’

‘Will you accept me as your friend on your real one?’

‘No. It’s private. I’m seventeen and I need some privacy, Jenny!’

‘Fair enough. I thought I was your cool aunt.’

‘You are, but you’re still old and Mum’s sister.’

‘Right, that’s it. We’re watchingMagic Mike.’

‘Nooooo!’ Kelly laughed and threw a cushion at her.

Halfway through the movie, Kelly looked at Jenny. ‘Can I ask you something?’

Jenny paused the film. ‘Sure.’

‘I’ve been thinking about my dad a lot lately. I don’t know why, I guess maybe when things aren’t great you start thinking about stuff more. Anyway, I really want to try to find him whenI turn eighteen. I’ll be an adult and Mum can’t stop me. I need to know who he is. You can track anyone down if you know their full name. Do you think Mum will ever tell me his name?’

Jenny swallowed. ‘To be honest, Kelly, I don’t think she will. Look, I know it’s really hard on you not having a dad or even knowing who he is. It must hurt like hell that he left you before you were even born,but I think he made it kind of clear that he didn’t want to be a father. He’s never come looking for you. I’m sorry, Kelly. I know you want to find him, but even I don’t know his name, and if you did persuade Lucy to tell you, all you’d find is heartache. You may not have a dad, but you have a family who adore you. I really think you need to find a way to make peace with that.’ Jenny reached overand put her arm around Kelly. ‘I love you and I think you rock. Try focusing on this hot new guy Sean. Show me a photo of him – I want to see him close up.’

Kelly laid her head on Jenny’s shoulder and flicked through her phone.

‘OMG, he is gorgeous. Go, Kelly! Now I understand why you’re sneaking out of windows to meet him.’

‘Will you talk to Mum about letting me see him?’ Kelly asked.

‘Ofcourse I will. I’ll do my very best.’

Jenny meant it. She was going to try to talk Lucy around. Even though she knew it wouldn’t be easy. Kelly needed some fun in her life, and some distraction from her grief about her absent father.

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