Read Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams for Free Online

details,’ he admitted. ‘Freddie was so boiling mad when he phoned that he could hardly speak. I just gathered, between expletives, that they had a massive row – I don’t know what about exactly – but it ended with Freddie telling his dadwhere to stuff his party and storming out. And guess what?’
    â€˜Go on,’ Emma urged.
    â€˜Freddie says that he’s sick to death of his father trying to control his life and that, since Granny and I are the only sane members of the family, he’s coming to Brighton to hang out for the summer!’
    Emma and Lucy exchanged glances. The note of pride in Adam’s voice was unmistakable. Emma understood immediately; she had just finished reading
So Love Me – A Study of Separated Siblings
as part of her pre-uni reading list and realised that Adam was craving acceptance and recognition from his big brother. His next remark confirmed her suspicions.
    â€˜He’s really rebelling,’ Adam went on admiringly. ‘He’s even decided to celebrate his birthday down here – whatever his father thinks.’
    â€˜Backlash against parental control,’ Emma murmured knowledgeably.
    â€˜Whatever.’ Adam continued. ‘He wants just his best mates – nothing huge and showy, and definitely no interfering parents. Not even Mum. And he says, if I help him sort it, I can invite some of my mates, too.’
    He flung an arm around Lucy’s sunburnt shoulders and hugged her to him.
    â€˜Brilliant! That is so cool!’ Emma said, her mind racing ahead.
    â€˜But if his dad’s not footing the bill . . .?’ Lucy began.
    â€˜No problem,’ Adam said, shrugging. ‘Freddie’s got a pile of money from when his dad’s mother died as well as from all the advertising he does. He’s going to stay withGranny for a bit – he can have my room while I’m at the Frontier Adventure Centre – but then he’s even talking about taking a flat in town and you don’t get those for peanuts.’
    â€˜So when’s he coming?’ Emma asked eagerly, mentally booking in highlights, a facial and some serious clothes shopping into her schedule.
    â€˜Oh, you know Freddie,’ Adam said. ‘He says . . .’
    â€˜Hey, did I hear you talk about Freddie? Freddie Churchill?’ Tabitha sashayed up to them. ‘Is he here?’ Her eyes scanned the club like a sparrowhawk looking for a choice mouse.
    â€˜No, he’s not.’ Emma shook her head. ‘And, as a matter of interest, do you make a habit of bursting in on private conversations?’
    â€˜He’s coming down some time next week,’ Adam told her innocently, clearly mesmerised by Tabitha’s cleavage. ‘He’s doing a series of fashion shoots for
Country Matters
magazine – Ashdown Forest, Cuckmere Haven, all over the place.’
    â€˜Cool,’ Tabitha remarked. ‘Just let me know when he’s around, Adam, right? He is seriously hot.’
    â€˜That girl,’ muttered Emma, as Tabitha turned away and grabbed the arm of Simon Wittering, ‘is a menace. So this party – what’s the low-down?’
    â€˜Freddie wants me and Lucy to suss out some party venues so he can check them out when he gets here. Like, who does he think I am? Superman? It’ll be impossible – everything will be booked solid.’
    He downed the final dregs of his drink.
    â€˜He’s got this idea of finding a place where his matescan stay and make a weekend of it. Freddie never did anything by halves. He wants golf and tennis and . . .’
    â€˜I thought you said he didn’t want anything showy,’ Lucy interrupted.
    â€˜By Freddie’s standards, it’s not,’ Adam said. ‘It’s the country life thing he wants, you know with his advertising image and everything.’
    â€˜That’s it! Oh my God, Adam, that’s it! Donwell. It’s