Secret (1969)

Chapter 1

I'm looking out of the window of the plane, trying to realize a new life is waiting for me. It's really hard to leave the place you were born in, grew up and where all your special memories are, but after losing my sister and mum, my father decided to send me here to London.

I'm going to live with my relatives. The pain for him was as big as for me. He got so shocked by their death that he can't even work to keep our "family". All he does is walk around the house like a mad person. My sister died two years earlier, and I lost my mother 2 weeks ago. It's hell. I'll have to go to school in here now. I closed my eyes and whipped off the tears. A middle-aged woman was sitting beside me. When she saw the tears she handed me a tissue asking if everything was alright. I thanked her and nodded with a fake smile. I closed my eyes again and once I opened them we were already landing. I'm in London now. The place where always rains. There wouldn't be a single chance of me moving in here a little time ago, but now it feels like the temper of this city is in my soul, it feels like it's crying too. I took on my hood and a bag.

I took a taxi.

“Brickstone street.” I said with no emotion and driver got the car started. I was staring at the raindrops falling on the window, then started looking at people running in the streets of London. Those who didn’t have umbrellas were holding newspapers over their heads, trying to protect theimelves from getting wet, but failing. The car slowed down motion.

“Miss, we arrived.” Said a driver, I nodded to him, gave him money and got out of the car. I took my baggage and went to house.

“How are you?” Aunt asked after opening the door of house and hugging me.

“Normally.” I said to her with fake smile and sat down in an armchair.

“Where is Lily, or uncle?”

“Lily’s with her friend and Robert is at work.” She said shortly. I nodded at her.

“How’s your father?” She asked me after hesitating.

“He’s bad.” I answered her sincerely.

“My poor brother.” She whispered and her chin shivered from all the emotions.

“It’s really hard to get through this, but we have no way out, my dear.” She whispered again and sat down beside me. Tears streamed down my face and she hugged me tightly. We were like this for awhile, then she jumped on her feet, wiped tears away from her and my face.

“You came here to start a new life, not to mourn. So don’t cry, you will get through all of this. Everything will be okay.” I laughed at her act, stood up and kissed her on a cheek.

“Come on in the kitchen, till your uncle and Lily comes. Tell me about your boyfriends, you must have many of them.” She wiggled eyebrows at me. I shrugged and smiled uncomfortably. Which boyfriend is she asking about? I haven’t had any of them, yet.

“You are messing.” I said at once. “I don’t have anyone.” I shrugged.

“But..Why?” She got amazed.

“I didn’t want to, neither did they.” I answered her sincerely and set down on the chair. Aunt nodded at me and started cooking for supper. I was helping her and chatting at the same time. Our family wasn’t famous for its luxury and we didn’t have lots of rooms in the house, so Lily had to share her room with me. I don’t think she liked that idea but she has to get used to with this, we have no other choice.

When I took a shower I went to my room and lied down. I thought I‘d talk to Lily and know more about lifestyle in here, but she had other plans, I guess.

“Have my parents fallen asleep?” She asked and got up from bed.

“They went into their room but I don’t know if they are asleep.” I answered her and turned to her side.

“Very good.” She said and went to closet, took clothes and started looking at them. At first I couldn’t understand what she was doing, she was probably choosing clothes for tomorrow. It was good idea, I must imitate her.

“Will you come?” She asked me and tried on short, tight skirt.

“What?” I couldn’t hide my astonishment. “Where are you going?” Lily laughed and scratched her nape.

“In a club .” She satisfied my interest and now started trying on a T-shirt.

“But you are underage.” I was still astonished.

“So what, why do fake ID cards exist? Well I should make one for you too.” She said and took a tight dress and  put it on quickly, then did a quick make up and quietly went out from the room.

I was quietly lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling, astonished by Lily’s act. She hasn’t done anything like this before, seems like she has really changed in the time that I’ve not seen her. And what am I supposed to do? I should stay here every day and be nervous about Mrs. and Mr. Miles not to come in? Or should I go with her every night? I didn’t like either of these ideas but I guess I’ll choose one.