Family Secrets

By Robert Bell

It was going to be an Easter that they would never forget. Who was the mysterious guest that June had invited? Why the secrecy over his or her identity? Why were Marc and Juan sent to stay at the local hotel when they arrived from Inverness?

What was June not telling them? And why was she afraid that Marc should meet the guest?

When they met the mysterious stranger, Thomas, it turned out he had secrets of his own.

In this short story the family secrets are revealed as new friendships are made.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert
• Release date: Mar 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311799524

Robert Bell

Robert Bell was born in the UK and after years of visits finally relocated to Thailand 7 years ago. Initially he lived in Pattaya, but has now relocated to Udon Thani in the North East [Isaan] of Thailand.His first novel, Rough Diamonds, which he has made available for free download, draws heavily on his experiences in his early years living in Thailand, and frequent trips before then. Many of the more surprising events actually happened to him, although they are set in a fictional bar. The characters take traits from various guys he has met in Thailand, as do the locations.The story of the characters, and venues, Robert created continues in Diamond Fellowship and Facets of Thai Diamonds. History is revealed, and they set up a business empire.In his fourth book, Final Closure, a past that Paul Swift thought he'd left behind in Germany, comes to control the present. The fictional sois that Robert created are the backdrop to this thriller, but the characters are new. They realise however, that it isn't Final as his latest book, The Fifth Man, follows Paul as he tracks down the puppet master. Robert is working on a further instalment of the Thai Diamonds story, provisionally entitled 'Polished Diamonds'A short story marks a departure for Robert. The first, 'Clash of Wills' is the story of set in North Yorkshire where Ray returns to take care of his father's funeral and finds things aren't as expected, as he slowly discovers the truth about his father.His time living in Isaan has exposed him to 'Isaan Black Magic' which was the inspiration for two books. 'Run Away From the Tiger, Face The Crocodile' relates the journey of Martin and Rene to overcome their demons at a 'temple' in North East Thailand. They have a feeling that they are dealing with forces they don't understand. In 'The Sesame Seed Burns Before The Cashew Nut Cooks' Sean visits Thailand and meets Tam. Tam believes in Black magic but the events which take place in Udon shake that belief'Filipino Cruz' sees the backdrop change from Thailand to Manila as four young guys decide on their future. The follow up, 'Thai Cruz' sees them visit Thailand. The story will conclude in 'Cruz Control'.For more information visit http://thaidiamondbooks.moonfruit.com

Book preview

Family Secrets

By Robert Bell

BOOKS BY ROBERT BELL

Available as eBook and paperback

THAI DIAMONDS

Rough Diamonds

Diamond Fellowship

Facets of Thai Diamonds

Final Closure

The Fifth Man

THE CRUZ SERIES

Filipino Cruz

Thai Cruz

Cruz Control

The above are also available in one volume - The Cruz Chronicles

SHORT STORIES

Clash of Wills*

Family Secrets

Isaan Black Magic

Run Away From The Tiger, Face The Crocodile*

The Sesame Seed Burns Before The Cashew Nut Cooks*

The Amsterdam Stories

Life For Rent*

Holiday Weekend*

Also available in combined volume

Boys In Trouble

Liam*

Brad*

*Also included in the omnibus edition - Life For Rent and Other Short Stories

Copyright 2014 Robert Bell

Published By Thai Diamond Books

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Secrets

Chapter 2 - Thursday

Chapter 3 - Lunch At The House

Chapter 4 - Middlewich Hall

Chapter 5 - Revealing Dinner

Chapter 6 - Day Trip

Chapter 7 - Simon’s Story

Chapter 8 - Decisions

About The Author

About Thai Diamonds

Secrets

Juan looked at the caller id on his phone. It was his mother, no doubt with some questions, or rather instructions, about the Easter trip. She always wanted to make extra sure of things for Easter as they weren’t together for Christmas. It wasn’t that Juan didn’t enjoy a family Christmas, it was just they couldn’t get extra time off, it was too far to travel home for one day and in any case he preferred his new ‘family’. He picked up the phone.

Hi mum. Yes we are still coming for Easter, in fact we’ll arrive sometime on the Thursday; I managed to swing an extra day. No we don’t want to do anything special. Will Saira be there? Attack was the best form of defense where these calls were concerned.

Good. Well I’ve been talking to your father. We’ve booked you two into the West Lodge, I know how you like to be and well, since we moved, the walls aren’t very thick. And, anyway, the spare room only has a single bed. You’ll be much more comfortable and it’s only round the corner, you don’t even need to drive. Don’t worry we’re paying, belated Christmas gift. Saira is only here for the weekend, something about having to finish a thesis. She tried to avoid it all together but I told her that she had to be here for the weekend.

Mum, don’t be stupid, save your money. We can manage in the spare room; we’ll bring a camp bed.

No I insist. Anyway it might be occupied. Better safe than sorry.

Occupied?

I’ll explain when you get here, if it is.

Whatever. Look I’ve got to go; we were due out ten minutes ago. See you Thursday next week. We’ll call once we are about an hour away.

Fine. Take care. Bye.

Marc had walked into the kitchen. Your mother I presume, and where are we supposed to be off to?

Yes and no where, just wanted rid of her. Seems we are in a hotel for Easter, the spare room might be occupied. And she seems worried about the noise we might make in a single bed.

Well I’m not going to argue, although I hope it’s not an expensive hotel, we’re supposed to be saving.

"She said they were paying, and anyway it’s the West Lodge, about fifty a night including breakfast I think. You know the place, we