summary novel

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET ?

BY SOPHIE KINSELA

Emma Corrigan is a 25-year old English girl. She lives in London and shares a flat with Lissy, who is a lawyer and also her best friend, and Jemima, a rich girl who’s only interested in marrying a rich man for ‘a rock on her finger’. Emma is a typical girl-next-door. She’s a nice girl but she also has her flaws. She works in the Marketing department of Panther Corporation and is going out with one of her co-workers Connor Martin. Emma’s particularity is that she has secrets. Not earth-shattering secrets, but little secrets. The kind that aren’t that important but that you still wouldn’t reveal to anyone, such as: she finds thongs uncomfortable, she lies about her clothes size, she thinks her boyfriend is a bit like Ken (as in Ken & Barbie), she feeds orange juice to one of co-workers’ plant, about the time she was very drunk and copied her bottom at the copier and so on. She is also very afraid to fly. Everything has changed When she got on a plain back to home from her business trip to Scotland, and the plane moved through the turbulence, it all went wrong. She thought that she was going to dye, and told the stranger who was sitting next to her, all her little secrets.

 'Hi again,' I say smiling. 'This is a coincidence!'

The air hostess stares at me.

'Hi. Erm …'

'What?'

Why does she look embarrassed?

'Sorry. It's just … did you know that …' She gestures awkwardly to my front.

'What is it?' I say, pleasantly. I look down, and freeze, aghast.

The man next to her is Jack Harper, the founder of the company Emma works at. He is in town visiting the company and to top it off, he remembered every little detail of every little secret. When he visits the company Emma works at, he recognizes her, and asked her to have a chat in his office. But, he look that emma with Connor. So, he can not make a chat with Emma.

'Hi!' Emma say, and shake his hand. .

'Hi, darling!' Connor  says, looking up from the stove.

Shit. I totally forgot to say Darling. ( Emma said in her Heart )  OK, how am I going to remember this? . they continue talking each other until Connor went back to his office.

Then, Jack come close to Emma and please to Emma that never told to someone that Jack Ever gone to Scotland.

 “I wonder what we'll talk about”. Jack said

“ up to you what you want “ emma answered

“ how about told your experience in Scotland ? “ but are you please not to tell someone that I ever in Scotland ? jack said

“sure “ Emma answered. They continue talking.

Something happened when Jack went to London, he explain Emma’s secret when he come to Television. He try to say sorry to Emma. Emma has forgiven jack. But, Emma’s friend rash invite television program and ask Emma to explain Jack’s secret to them. Emma felt guilty and try to say sorry to Jack. Luckily, everything come good in the end. Emma explain to  jack about the problem .and jack believed her. Jack told Emma his little secret. So, they can start over in an equal relationship.

'I met a girl on a plane. And … my whole life changed as a result.'

Something hot is welling up inside me. My throat is tight, my whole head aching. I'm trying so hard not to cry, but my face is contorting all by itself.

'Jack,' I swallow desperately. 'I didn't … I really didn't …'

'I know,' he cuts me off with a nod. 'I know you didn't.'

'I would never—'

'I know you wouldn't,' he says gently. 'I know you wouldn't.'  And now I can't help it, tears start flooding out of my eyes in sheer relief. He knows. It's OK.

'So …' I wipe my face, trying to gain control of myself. 'So does this … does this mean … that we I can't bring myself to say the words. There's a long, unbearable silence. If he says no, I don't know what I'll do.

'Well, you might want to hold back on your decision,' says Jack at last, and gives me a deadpan look.

'Because I have a lot more to tell you. And it isn't all pretty.'

I give a shaky laugh.

'You don't have to tell me anything.'

'Oh, I do,' says Jack firmly. 'I think I do. Shall we walk?' He gestures to the courtyard. 'Because this could take some time.'

'OK,' I say, my voice still wobbling a bit. Jack holds out an arm, and after a pause, I take it.

They continued talked and Slowly we start to walk around the edge of the dark, empty courtyard together. The only sound is the crunching of our feet on the gravel, and the breeze in the trees and Jack's dry voice, talking. Telling me everything.