Read Online An Impossible Secret by J. B. Leigh - Free Book Online

find her way around the web site, and she had to consult the online help several times. Eventually, she managed to determine that her mother and father had married less than two months before Kerry had been born. They had divorced less than three years later. 
    She still had no idea where either of her parents lived. The marriage and birth had been registered at Kilmain registry office—thirty miles south of Westchester. That was eighteen years ago. Kerry decided to work on the basis that they'd still be living in the Kilmain area, and to focus on her mother first. What name would she be using? Her married name? Probably not—it was more likely she'd have reverted to her maiden name. There was no indication her mother had ever remarried.
    There were eleven D. Millers in the Kilmain telephone directory. Armed with a pocket full of change, Kerry found a telephone kiosk away from the main road.
    “Hello?” a female voice said.
    “I’m trying to contact a Dawn Miller.”
    “There isn't anyone by that name here.”
    “I found you in the phone book under D. Miller.”
    “That’s my old man—Derrick.”
    “Sorry to have troubled you.”
    The second call drew a blank—no one picked up. The third call was answered by a Dawn Miller, but not the Dawn Miller. The next call was answered by a Mr Dexter Miller.
    Kerry dialled the next number. After a few rings, a female voice answered.
    “Hello?”
    “I’m sorry to bother you. I’m looking for Dawn Miller.”
    “Speaking.”
    “My name is Kerry White. You don’t know me…”
    “I’m not buying anything.”
    “No. It’s nothing like that. I was adopted eighteen years ago. My birth mother’s name…”
    The line went dead. Kerry stared at the phone. Had they been cut off, or had the woman hung up? She redialled the number. The woman picked up on the first ring.
    “I think we were cut off,” Kerry managed to say before the line went dead again.
    She stared at the phone. Had the woman hung up because she was annoyed by the cold call, or was there more to it? Kerry tried the same number several more times, but the call rang out.
    For the next fifty minutes, Kerry worked her way through the names on the list, but so far had drawn a blank. There was only one number left to try. Before she could pick up the handset, the phone rang—making her jump. Why would someone call a phone box?
    “Hello?” Kerry said—an air of caution in her voice.
    “I’m sorry I hung up.”
    Kerry recognised the woman’s voice.
    “That’s okay.”
    “I couldn’t speak while my partner was here. He’s gone out for a few minutes.”
    “I understand. I was saying that I'm…”
    “I’m the Dawn Miller you’re looking for.”
    Kerry leaned back against the wall of the phone box. Her legs had gone to jelly.
    “Are you still there?” the woman asked.
    “Yes. Sorry. I just—err. It’s a bit of a shock.”
    “For me, too. Would you like to meet up?”
    “Hmm.” Kerry hadn’t thought this far ahead. “I suppose so… Yes, yes I do.”
    “Can I call you back tomorrow to arrange something?”
    “I’m in a phone box.”
    “Do you have a mobile or land-line number?”
    “No, sorry.”
    “Where do you live?”
    “Westchester.”
    “I know Westchester. What about this Saturday? Could you meet me outside the museum—say eleven o’clock?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay. See you Saturday.”
    The line was dead, but Kerry continued to stare at the handset. She’d just spoken to her mother—her biological mother. Even though she’d received her adoption file, she hadn’t allowed herself to believe she'd actually be able to trace her parents. Less than a day later, she’d arranged a meeting with her mother.

 
    Chapter 35
     
     
     
    “Are you going out tonight?” Brice’s mother was standing in the doorway of his bedroom.
    “No.” He glanced down at her skirt.
    “What?” she said.
    “Nothing.”
    “Come on. Spit it out. What’s the matter?”
    “Why can’t you wear