Most good short story texts can be found on the internet. Two exceptions are ‘To See the Sun, Kingsley Amiss brilliant vampire short story, and ‘Mysteries of the Heart by Nigel Hinton.
I came across ‘Mysteries of the Heart years ago, before the internet age, in an English text book. It impressed me so much I copied it out word for word on to It is perfect for young teenagers, and I have used it many times in my teaching.
To this day, the text of ‘Mysteries of the Heart cannot be found on the internet, so I have decided to post it here – in the hope that an English teacher stumbles across it and decides to use it. Hinton is prolific – the author of over 20 texts, mainly teenage fiction – but neither his website nor his Wikipedia page mentions ‘Mysteries of the Heart.
The story sheds light on family relationships and family secrets. After reading it and discussing it, an excellent would be to ask students to write a sequel: either Alans conversation with his mother about her guilty secret or Alans eventual meeting with his biological father.
Alans mum was always losing things and for as long as he could remember he had helped her find them. Sometimes they were silly little things like a pair of scissors or a kitchen knife but sometimes they were big things. Like the time they went on a day trip to France, and she lost their passports. Everybody had gone rushing around the supermarket in a panic – even dad – but Alan had decided to run back to the caf where theyd had lunch, and he had found the passports under a table.
In fact it only really worked for his mum, and that was probably because he hated it when she looked helpless or upset. Whenever he saw those worry lines crease up round her eyes, there was a small stab in his heart, and he just wanted to make everything all right for her. That was partly why he hadnt gone on at breakfast this morning. His dads friend had rung to ask if anyone wanted to go sailing with him in his new boat, and his dad had said, You bet. Id love and so would Janey.
As soon as he put the phone down he sort of apologized to Alan, saying that there was only enough room for three in the boat and that Janey deserved a treat because she had been ill for a couple of weeks. That was true, but Alan still felt it wasnt fair just to choose her without talking about it first. Hed started to say something but hed seen those worry lines suddenly appear round his mums eyes, so hed forced a smile and said it was OK. The worry lines had gone, so it had been worth it. But now they were back again.
What on earth could I have done with it? his mum was saying as she searched through her bag looking for her Come on, Sherlock – do your trick. Dadll do his nut if I cant find it.
Thats what I mean. He goes all quiet and understanding, and I feel such a fool. Thats because I am one, I suppose.
Youre not, Alan said, putting his arm round her shoulder and noticing that he was as tall as she was now.
Well, lets just say that I make more mistakes than most people. She turned and looked him straight in the eyes.
Ill be taller than you soon, he said. Taller than dad too. Fancy two shorties like you having a beanpole like me.
Her eyes flicked away from his for a moment. Then she laughed and said, OK, Beanpole, can you see my from your great height?
But he didnt. He kept thinking of places – down the side of the sofa, behind the fridge, under the kitchen table – but each time he was wrong.
Its no good, love, his mum said at last. Ive got to go - the shops close early on Saturdays. Ill get some money out of the machine at the bank.
She asked if he wanted to go with her, but he said no – the had to be somewhere in the house, and hed made up his mind he was going to find it. She grabbed a basket, put on her coat and rushed out of the house.
As soon as shed gone he sat on the stairs and tried to concentrate: where was the After a moment he stood up and walked up the stairs to his parents bedroom.
