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
‘I agree.’ He hesitated, then said, ‘By the way, I’m seeing Vanessa for tea at The Ritz this afternoon.’
‘Wonderful idea.’
‘Not mine, hers.’
‘She’s not shy in coming forward, is she?’
‘No, she’s rather outspoken, says what she’s thinking, but I don’t mind that bluntness of hers. It’s refreshing.’
Adrian pulled his keyring out, and tapped one key. ‘Do you want it?’
‘Thanks, but no thanks. Not today.’
Rising from his chair, Adrian went to the sideboard and topped up his glass. He said as he strolled back to the table, ‘I like the suit. New, isn’t it?’
Robert nodded. ‘Yes, and a new style: single-breasted, three buttons, and navy blue instead of black.’
‘Savile Row, knowing you.’
‘Hawes and Curtis, actually. My tailor told me the King started the style, with a light-cream suit with a brown stripe, and creases at the sides instead of the front. Plus the new hat he designed, which is called the homburg.’
‘I’ve seen the King in that – can’t say I like it. Oh, here is Rollins, the butler for this room. With the menu, I’ve no doubt.’
Rollins greeted the two men, handing them a menu each.
After perusing them, Robert settled for pâté, to be followed by Dover sole, and Adrian selected oyster patties and poached salmon.
When the butler left, Adrian said, ‘I’m so glad you’ve stopped going to your office on Friday, which means we can get together.’
‘So am I,’ Robert replied. ‘I began to realize that by Thursday night I needed to get out of the salt mines.’
‘I think you mean the gold mines,’ Adrian shot back with a cheeky grin. ‘You’re not known as England’s wealthiest landlord for nothing.’
‘Must you always have the last word, Addy?’
‘Yes. And I usually get it!’
THIRTY-NINE
It had been a difficult day for Blackie O’Neill, and he was glad to leave Mrs Wilson’s house at two o’clock.
He had finally laid down the large terracotta slabs that would form the conservatory floor on cement, and they had settled well. He had started at seven in the morning, and not even taken time off for a bite to eat – he who was always hungry. He just wanted to go home as soon as he could and have a rest. His head ached.
Pleased though he was about the way the conservatory was progressing at a good pace, he felt miserable because of all the things that had happened of late. His eyes, usually alight with merriment, were today mournful, his Celtic soul suffused with melancholy.