How good are you at keeping a secret? If someone tells you a secret and tells you to keep it to yourself, can you be trusted?
Sam: I’m going to tell you something that you mustn't tell another living soul. Can I trust you?
Julie: Wow, that sounds serious! Are you okay?
Sam: Oh yes, I’m fine. It’s nothing to worry about. But you must promise me to keep it to yourself.
Julie: Of course. Go on! I’m intrigued.
Sam: Well, do you remember the Chans? Mum and Dad used to be very good friends with them.
Julie: Yes, Dad worked with Mr Chan, didn’t he? They had two kids the same age as us.
Sam: A boy and a girl. We didn’t go to the same school as them, but we always got on with them when our families went out together.
Julie: Oh yes, I remember! We used to go for hikes and have barbecues. The Chans were great fun. We never did find out why Mum and Dad fell out with them.
Sam: Yeah, suddenly we stopped seeing them, and Dad got angry any time we asked why.
Julie: And Mum got upset. Wow, that must’ve been about eight years ago.
Sam: I think the fall-out was something that had happened at work. I remember Dad coming home one night very upset. He and Mum kicked us out of the kitchen while they were talking. Do you remember that?
Julie: Yes, I do. And after that, we never hung out with the Chans again. We were supposed to be having a dinner that Saturday night because it was Mrs Chan’s birthday. That was cancelled, and when we asked questions we were told to be quiet.
Sam: Something serious had happened. Well, do you remember the Chans’ daughter?
Julie: Yes, Kate. I always thought she fancied you. But you always used to tease her. You never noticed when she was being nice to you.
Sam: Yes, well! Guess what’s happened? Three weeks ago at the tennis club, I was chatting to friends after our practice, and I noticed this girl was staring at me. Well, James noticed it first, and told me.
Julie: And?
Sam: I thought I recognised her, but I didn't know from where. Anyway, when I was leaving the club, the girl came up to me and asked me if I knew who she was. I mumbled a bit, and then she told me she was Kate Chan! You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Julie: I bet!
Sam: She was really pleasant and chatty, and we went back in to the cafe and had a coffee. She seemed really pleased to see me again. We chatted for about half an hour, and she said she had never learned why our parents had fallen out.
Julie: That’s interesting.
Sam: Anyway, to cut a long story short, we exchanged phone numbers and agreed to keep in touch. I really liked her, so I whatsapped her the next day and asked if we could meet again.
Julie: And she told you to get lost!
Sam: Of course she didn’t! We met at the tennis club again and, as I say, to cut a long story short, we’ve been dating since then. And it’s getting serious.
Julie: You’re joking! Kate Chan! Mum and Dad will go ballistic!
Sam: I know, so this has to be a secret. Please don't tell anyone until I work out what to do. Kate is in the same position as me: she’s scared stiff of telling her parents. Perhaps I should confront Mum and Dad and ask them outright why there was suddenly bad blood between them and the Chans. I don't know what to do really. So, keep it quiet until Kate and me work out what to do. Please, not a word to anyone! Okay?