The Keeper of Secrets Read Online Free Page B

through the window she caught a glimpse of a flashlight. She had found her wayward son.
    When Elle trudged out in her winter coat and boots, she made no effort to disguise her approach.
    â€˜What on earth are you doing?’ she demanded.
    Charlie didn’t look up. He had somehow managed to unhook the trowel that had eluded him earlier and was busily digging a small hole in the exact same spot where the spade marks had been. His Buzz Lightyear torch was perched next to him and cast a surprisingly strong beam of light onto the ground he was churning up. ‘I think I’ve found something,’ he gasped.
    Elle was juddering in the cold wind and had no interest in Charlie’s imaginary treasure which was more than likely a tree root. She was about to manhandle him back into the house when she heard a distinctive clink as the trowel blade hit metal. She looked behind her briefly, suddenly afraid of being caught, and then back to her son who was groaning with renewed efforts. ‘Here, let me,’ she said.
    The metal box was smaller than a shoebox and rattled when she shook it. It had two brass handles on each side but there was too much mud to distinguish any other features. ‘How on earth did you know it was there, Charlie?’ she asked.
    â€˜It’s a secret,’ he said, reaching up to take the box from her.
    She lifted it out of reach. ‘I think I’ll keep hold of it for the time being.’
    â€˜No, it’s not yours! It was Granddad’s box and now it’s mine!’ he cried. The tears were already threatening.
    â€˜Granddad buried it?’ Elle took another look at the box and pushed her fingers into the layers of mud that hid a set of hinges on one side and what could only be a keyhole on the other, one that might be opened with a small brass key.
    Charlie folded his arms and pouted. ‘No.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Nana and Granddad left it for me. It’s mine.’
    â€˜But I thought we were going to be a team? Let’s get in out of the cold and then we can wash some of the muck off it,’ she offered, trying to distract him from the issue of ownership.
    Charlie remained stock-still as she stamped down the disturbed earth to cover their tracks and returned the trowel to the shed. Even when they were back in the kitchen, Charlie didn’t say a word as he watched his mum doing her best to wipe the box clean.
    â€˜I don’t know what we’re going to do,’ Elle mused. ‘It’s most definitely locked.’
    Charlie took the bait and forgot that he was supposed to be sulking. ‘Maybe we could blow it up.’
    They retreated to the living room and she switched on the electric fire. The flickering orange glow from the artificial flames gave the suggestion of warmth but it would take a while to chase away the early morning chill. They kept on their winter coats as they cuddled up on the sofa with the box perched on Elle’s knee. Charlie rested his head on her chest while his small fingers explored the contours of the lock as if he could magic it open.
    Elle had no idea what the box contained or why her dad would have buried it but she was convinced she held the key. She had brought her dad’s watch with her and had already taken it from her bag without Charlie noticing. She pulled it from her pocket and let it dangle in front of them.
    It had been a long and trying day and the air around her was becoming warm and heavy, weighing down on her eyelids as she kept her eyes on the key as it swayed from side to side. She was waiting for Charlie to realize what it was but his eyes were now closed and his steady breathing shallow. He had fallen asleep. Elle was on the verge of joining him but curiosity gave her the will to stay awake long enough to unlock the box and take a quick peek at the contents.
    The box contained a handful of envelopes and scraps of paper, together with an assortment of coins and a few other