Secrets and Lies (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Harper

In my family, we dont believe in keeping secrets or lying to each other, Its not what families are supposed to do. A quote famous in our household said by my father, Jeffrey Taylor. There are always reasons we shouldnt lie or have secrets but the main one is if you cant trust your family, who can you trust? Another famous quote in our household.

Years ago, back when my dad was just starting university, he met my mum, Lauren. Back then they had secrets and told small white lies, like everyone does, but every secret and every lie comes with a consequence, according to my dad. My mums secret was that after only a few weeks of dating, she had fallen pregnant with me. She didnt want to tell dad in case he told her to have an abortion, so she kept me a secret because of fear. Dads secret was that he had come from a wealthy family and was expected to take on his fathers role as a member of parliament and then onto Prime minister. He had big ambitions, so he lied to my mother and said that his family worked within a family business, a half truth if you will. He didnt want to tell mum the truth because he thought she would take advantage. In the end, mum couldnt hide her bump any longer and so told dad that he had got her up the duff. Her words not mine. At that point dad had tears in his eyes and a big grin on his face, he had always wanted children, at that he told my mum about his family. At first mum was angry, but in time she forgave him and they promised to never have secrets or tell lies for the rest of their lives, and so far they have stuck to that promise.

When I arrived on the scene this didnt change a thing. I have had it drilled into me that no matter what you should tell family everything because secrets, like lies, can destroy lives in a matter of seconds, its best to keep everything out in the open.

'Harper, come downstairs, mum and I want to speak to you.'

I hear my dad calling for me as Im trying to watch Hollyoaks, Damn, Ill have to watch it on catchup I think to myself as I switch my tv off and head downstairs to the lobby. Its bigger than most lobbies, its like a huge rectangle with white walls and a red carpet. By the living room door I see mum with her head in her hands, This cant be good.

'Sit down poppet.'

Its dad who speaks, which makes me worry since mum hasnt looked up from her hands to me once.

'Right poppet, theres something me and your mum need to talk to you about. Weve both discussed some things and have come to the conclusion that we havent been very happy for a while, weve fallen out of love.'

At that point he looked me straight in the eye to see how I was taking the news. I was shocked, never in my 17 years of life had I even heard them have an argument, now they were talking about a divorce for god sake!

'We both think its best to get a divorce, your mum is going to stay here for a while until we sort money out. This is in no way your fault its just one of those things. You can decide where you live, you dont have to take sides, we love you very much and this is for the best.'

As soon as he stopped talking mum looked up at both of us, she didnt say anything, she just looked sad. I could tell she had been crying, her dark brown eyes had a sadness in them, like someone had just died. Her beautiful face was now red from tears and her usually perfect light brown hair was dishevelled from the stress. She got up and went into the spare room and locked the door. Dad and I continued to stare at each other for what felt like hours but was only seconds. In a matter of minutes my life had gone from one big happy family to a broken one.