Chapters (73)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- PART TWO
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- PART THREE
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- PART FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- PART FIVE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Keep Reading …
- About the Author
- Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Publisher
‘She was away in Tralee for the day, so I took meself off.’ Michael grinned and took something out of his coat pocket, then shrugged the coat off his shoulders. After hanging the overcoat on a hook on the wall, he walked over to the fireplace where Blackie sat with his boots and a shoe brush.
Siobhan took her coat off, hung it on another peg on the wall, and hurried to the fireplace. ‘Is the water in the kettle hot, Blackie?’
‘Indeed it is, and I can make a pot of tea if ye want.’ He looked at Siobhan and then Michael hungrily. ‘Did Cook send us anything for our tea?’
Siobhan nodded. ‘It’s in the bag near the door. That’s where I put it when we came in.’
‘What did she give us?’ Blackie wondered out loud.
‘A big jar of broth. It’s a nice tea, Blackie.’
He nodded. ‘Cook never lets us starve.’
‘Yes, she’s been kind since you came to us.’ Michael walked over to the fireplace and sat down opposite his twin. Gazing at his cousin, Michael took the piece of paper he was holding and smoothed it out. After scanning it, he said to Blackie, ‘Uncle Pat sent us a telegram today. It came to us at the mansion.’
Blackie dropped the boot and stood up, surprised, staring at Michael, putting out his hand. ‘Can I read it, please?’
Michael gave it to him, and explained, ‘He’s ready for you to go to Leeds. You leave here for Queenstown and go straight to the docks and get on the boat. Uncle Pat will be waiting there at the docks in Liverpool.’
Blackie read every word for himself, filled with relief and happiness. He was flying away at last! A thought struck him. ‘How do I get to Queenstown? Do I walk there, Michael? Or try for a lift?’
‘’Course not. I will talk to Finn Ryan. His father bought an old gig from his lordship last year. He – Finn, that is – purchased a horse. He has a … a sort of service, taking people where they want to go.’
‘I remember. Ye will hire him to take me to the port? Is that it?’
‘Yes. With me.’
‘I can go alone,’ Blackie protested.
‘No. I will take charge of things.’
‘I’m thirteen. Grown up, Michael.’
‘Not quite. Dennis O’Malley will meet us at the docks in Queenstown. He’s going to see you safely on to the boat to Liverpool and then Uncle Pat will take over.’
‘I am big for me age, and I can look after myself. Ye taught me to fight good.’
‘I did, Blackie, and I trust you. I know you’re capable and all you say is true. But—’
‘I’m strong and clever.’