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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

‘Yes, very much so. But I swear on the heads of the Blessed Saints, the true reason was the men I was working with. He was never happy about it. They were a hard-drinking lot, violent at times. The huts were not very nice, unsanitary. And all sorts of diseases were catching hold; some gangs had typhus, dysentery and even cholera.’

‘So he became worried about your health?’

‘Aye, he did. Me uncle is the best of men, Finn. I look up to him, respect him.’

‘I understand why.’ There was a small pause, and Finn said quietly, ‘But ye made quite a lot of shillings over half a year. Money. That’s what I be after.’

‘I don’t blame ye, Finn. I must admit, I like to make money. And one day I aim to build houses, and become a wealthy man. Not just comfortable, with food on me table. Rich.’

Finn stared at him, obviously startled by Blackie’s comments. After a moment, he said, ‘What a dream to have … I hope it comes true.’

FOURTEEN

Blackie and Finn did one last check of the kitchen, the joinery and the plumbing. They ran the kitchen taps, flushed the modern lavatory newly installed in a small back room, and then they made sure all the doors closed properly throughout the entire kitchen. Mrs Wilson had ordered a modern gas range for her cook to use and the scullery at the back of the house, with its coppers for the washing and deep enamel sink, had new cupboards as well.

‘Well, that’s about it,’ Blackie said, after inspecting some hinges on a cupboard door. ‘As far as I’m concerned, it’s finally finished.’ He put his hand on Finn’s arm, and his voice was affectionate when he said, in a quiet tone, ‘I appreciate your help, Faith, to be sure, I do. I couldn’t have done it without ye.’

‘Ye would’ve,’ Finn shot back, ‘’cos ye’re ever so clever, Blackie. I’ve learned a lot from ye and thanks for having me on the job.’

‘I’m famished. Let’s go and sit on the steps outside and share the sandwiches Aunt Eileen made.’

Blackie went over to his sack near the sink and took out several packages and two bottles. Showing one to Finn, he said, with a short laugh, ‘Lemonade. Made by my aunt,’ as if he were announcing vintage wine.

Finn laughed with him, and a few moments later, the two young men were sitting on the steps in the sun, enjoying their sandwiches filled with thin slices of corned beef, and drinking their lemonade.

His mouth full, Blackie asked, ‘Are ye coming to the dance hall on Saturday? I’m planning on that.’