The door slams. Dad’s gone. Will I run down the side passage and stop him? Ask him not to leave, ask him will he still want to see me? He probably doesn’t now. I want to cry but I’m too angry. This is all her fault.

When I get to the front of the house, Dad’s car screams down the road. I’m too late. With my hand on the doorbell, I wait for her to answer.

‘Did you forget your key?’ she asks like nothing has happened. I wonder how often she does that, pretend. All the time I guess, all her life.

I follow her into the kitchen and that’s when I see the knife.

When I leave the house, she’s dead.

A Letter From Jackie

Thank you for taking the time to read my second novel, The Secrets He Kept. If you enjoyed it, and I really hope you have, I would love to hear your thoughts via a review. Knowing what you think of the story is important to me.

Social media affects how and where we receive information these days and was the inspiration behind the story. How do we know if what we’re looking at is true?

Sally is just an ordinary woman, married to an ordinary guy, when a photo on someone’s camera changes all that. What should she believe? Her eyes or her heart?

I hope you enjoyed this journey with Sally as she discovers the truth behind the photograph.

This story is not true and all the characters are fictional.

Thank you for your support. I would love to have your continued support as I progress on my writing journey.

You are welcome to contact me with any questions or comments anytime. I’m available on Facebook and Twitter.

Best Wishes

Jackie Walsh

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank everyone who has supported my journey so far. In particular, all the people who read my first novel, Familiar Strangers. Thank you for your kind words of support and great reviews. Every positive reaction you send my way pushes me forward.

To my publishers at Hera Books, Keshini and Lindsey. Thank you for all your hard work. Knowing you have my back makes the experience a lot more pleasurable.

For Patricia Gibney, who is always at my side with her encouragement and help. We have such fun together, long may it last.

To the writers who previewed my first book; in particular, Patricia Gibney, Louise Phillips, Andrea Carter, Niamh Brennan. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to help me.

To my family and friends, whose reaction and support for Familiar Strangers could not have been better. Keep it up. And the girls in Lollipops who continue to make my life easier, you are the best staff anyone could ask for.