Читать книгу The Last Charm - Ella Allbright, Элла Олбрайт - Страница 8

There’s glistening jewellery lying on my bedspread when I get in from seeing Eloise – a silver charm bracelet with a heart-shaped locket holding the clasp together and a tiny chain dangling from it. Turning it over between my fingers, I see a plain silver heart charm hanging down halfway around it. I frown. It’s my eleventh birthday tomorrow so maybe the bracelet’s an early present? But why isn’t it wrapped? And who is it from? There’s no label. I can’t picture Dad buying it, going around shops after spending all day at work plumbing. It can’t be from Mum, because she always wraps presents she says are ‘fit for royalty’ with carefully folded paper, tape sticking the edges down neatly, and a ribbon tied in a bow with the ends curled into spirals.

Sitting down on the bed as I undo the bracelet to see if it fits me, a scrunching sound echoes around the room. Frowning, I look down and pull a piece of paper from under my leg. Unfolding it on my bare knees, I smooth it out and see a single word and a kiss. It’s both the simplest and the hardest note I’ve ever read.

Sorry. X

A heavy thudding sounds up the stairs and Dad bursts into my room, eyes wide, blond hair sticking to his sweaty forehead. He’s clutching a crumpled note in his hand, and the paper matches the note I’m holding. ‘It’s your mum,’ he whispers brokenly, ‘she’s gone.’

I actually feel my eyes widen with shock, and my breath catches in my throat, choking me.

How could she? How can she leave us? Leave me? I trusted her.

I hate her. I hate her. I hate her.