Wednesday evening, after another incredibly awkward dinner with the "new family", Bridgette followed her family around her father new home. Seamlessly perfect photographs lined the walls and the air smelled like a mixture of lavender and vanilla. It reminded her of the old days; no family issues, no drama and definitely no secret keeper. Her father was talking on a cell phone "Yes. I'll tell her. Thanks for informing me. Goodbye".
When he snapped his phone shut he lead Bridgette and Josh into the kitchen where Charlotte and her mother were sitting at an island table casually sipping smoothies. When Charlotte saw that Bridgette had arrived she ran out of her seat and gave her a hug. "I'm glad you came to see the new place. You'll love your new room I'm helped design it" Charlotte chirped. But her enthusiasm seemed faked and Bridgette began to wonder if the walls of her bedroom had been made of old parts from a meat processing plant.
"Sounds wonderful, but I'm going to be staying with my mom" Bridgette replied and Charlotte's smile disappeared. "Actually your mom got a job offer somewhere in New York. We discussed things and she wants you to stay with us" Mr. Caldecott said.
Bridgette sighed "When does she leave?"
"She just left. She called to tell me she will call you when she arrives." Mr. Caldecott said before continuing. "Charlotte, why don't you show Bridgette to her room"
And with that Charlotte grabbed Bridgette's hand and led her outside, threw a small patch of trees and to a small aging cottage. Charlotte pulled out a pair of keys and opened the door and lead Bridgette inside. The walls were a cream colour and there was hard dark wood floor. There were lots of plants and the bedding looked like coral. Above the computer desk was a poster supporting vegetarianism. "I hope you like it. Everything must be so weird so I made your bedroom your escape home." Charlotte said sounding quite proud of herself. She handed Bridgette the keys and left leaving Bridgette alone.
Bridgette began to inspect the poster when her phone rang from her pocket. She picked it up carefully and read the message.
True kindness or a gift before the storm?
-Secret Keeper
Bridgette cringed. What if it was true, what if Charlotte was trying to butter her up and then serve her on a silver platter? Before she could think some more her phone blinked again.
You want answers? Take a peek in Charlotte's room in fifteen minutes.
-Secret Keeper
As much as Bridgette didn't want to trust secret keeper she was curious to see what the message ment. When fifteen minutes passed Bridgette began to walk through the hallways searching for Charlotte's room was she bumped into Claire, Charlotte's mother. "You look lost do you need some help"
"Yeah, I let Charlotte borrow my lip gloss a few minutes ago but I want it back. She said it was in her room. Where would that be?"
Claire smiled "Up a floor and first door to the right".
Bridgette thanked Claire and walked up to the room. When she opened the door the first thing she noticed was box. Inside the box was a trophy with the name Leighton Track. Bridgette recognized the name. Leighton was a famous surfer who had drowned during a contest, although the footage of the event was never shown a memorial was held a week ago. Bridgette place the trophy back and began to wonder why she had come when her phone rang.
ANAGRAMS are fun? Don't ya think?
-Secret Keeper
Bridgette once again held the trophy and looked over the name. She suddenly realized why she had been sent.
Leighton Track was an anagram for Charlotte King.