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Back A Man of Honour Save as PDF
Chapters (73)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. PART ONE
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. PART TWO
  16. TWELVE
  17. THIRTEEN
  18. FOURTEEN
  19. FIFTEEN
  20. SIXTEEN
  21. SEVENTEEN
  22. EIGHTEEN
  23. NINETEEN
  24. TWENTY
  25. TWENTY-ONE
  26. TWENTY-TWO
  27. TWENTY-THREE
  28. TWENTY-FOUR
  29. TWENTY-FIVE
  30. TWENTY-SIX
  31. TWENTY-SEVEN
  32. TWENTY-EIGHT
  33. TWENTY-NINE
  34. THIRTY
  35. THIRTY-ONE
  36. THIRTY-TWO
  37. PART THREE
  38. THIRTY-THREE
  39. THIRTY-FOUR
  40. THIRTY-FIVE
  41. THIRTY-SIX
  42. THIRTY-SEVEN
  43. THIRTY-EIGHT
  44. THIRTY-NINE
  45. FORTY
  46. FORTY-ONE
  47. FORTY-TWO
  48. FORTY-THREE
  49. FORTY-FOUR
  50. PART FOUR
  51. FORTY-FIVE
  52. FORTY-SIX
  53. FORTY-SEVEN
  54. FORTY-EIGHT
  55. FORTY-NINE
  56. FIFTY
  57. FIFTY-ONE
  58. FIFTY-TWO
  59. FIFTY-THREE
  60. PART FIVE
  61. FIFTY-FOUR
  62. FIFTY-FIVE
  63. FIFTY-SIX
  64. FIFTY-SEVEN
  65. FIFTY-EIGHT
  66. FIFTY-NINE
  67. SIXTY
  68. SIXTY-ONE
  69. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  70. Keep Reading …
  71. About the Author
  72. Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
  73. About the Publisher

‘Thank you.’ Michael flashed her a warm smile, and then helped his sister to wriggle out of her topcoat, before taking off his own.

‘We’re having rabbit pie,’ Blackie announced. ‘A real treat. I watched Mrs Martha making ’em, and they’ll be very tasty.’

FOUR

The rabbit pie was delicious. There wasn’t much talking done as they ate. The four of them were relishing the meal, the best any of them had eaten in the past few months. All had managed to exist on meagre servings of vegetables mainly and, occasionally, a small portion of fish with a chunk of bread, a piece of bacon or a scrape of dripping. Food was scarce and they were hungry most of the time.

Once the first pie had been well and truly demolished, Mrs O’Malley pushed back her chair and stood. Her eyes swept over them, and she smiled. ‘I see ye liked the first pie, so I think we should try the second.’

When no one answered her, just looked astonished more than anything else, she remarked, ‘I did make two pies, ye knows.’

Blackie spoke up. ‘Are ye sure, Mrs Martha? Don’t ye want to keep the other one for tomorrow?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m having a serving, so why not finish it among us? Michael? Siobhan? How about the two of ye?’

Michael said, ‘Thank you, Mrs O’Malley, I’d love a bit more, I would that.’

Mrs O’Malley smiled, obviously pleased. Turning to his sister, she raised a brow. ‘And Siobhan, will ye take a piece?’

‘Thanks, I will, Mrs O’Malley. It’s the best rabbit pie I’ve ever eaten. Delicious.’ There was a small pause before she added, ‘Rabbit tastes like chicken, at least when it comes out of your oven.’

Mrs O’Malley brought the dish to the table, and each of them served themselves. After giving Blackie the dish to hold, Mrs O’Malley put a spoonful on her own plate, then took it back to the table near the sink.

When they had finished, Blackie and Michael helped Mrs O’Malley carry the empty plates to the sink. Siobhan joined them and within half an hour they were all sitting around the fire, holding a mug of tea, relaxing in the warmth and comfort of the small kitchen. Their bellies were filled with good food, and they were peaceful in their surroundings.

The following afternoon, Siobhan and Michael arrived home early. For once, Blackie was in their cottage and not at Mrs O’Malley’s.

When they walked in they found him polishing his boots. He looked up from the task when he saw them, and smiled. ‘It’s only five, did her ladyship let ye off early?’