Friendship's Bond Read Online Free PDF

remember to thank heaven for its bounty.
    ‘Mrs Slater . . . Mary.’ He smiled indulgently. ‘It was not my wish to cause concern but simply to remind us all of the need for vigilance. We have to remember the enemy may not always act as we would expect.’
    ‘Meanin’ what?’
    The question again put by Ezekial gave further assistance to the plan formulating in his mind. Thorpe kept his tone placatory.
    ‘You have all heard Mary and Ezekial attest to the fact that no strange man has been seen in this area, and I agree with them . . .’
    ‘So why all this hoo-ha?’
    ‘You says y’self you agrees wi’ Zeke an’ Mary, that there be no cause for we to go a’ worryin’. So why talk o’ spies if there don’t be none?’
    A rumble of questions was beginning to rise on all sides, questions he quickly dismissed as a fuss over nothing.
    Evening service had ended some minutes since and the women especially would be wanting to be home putting their youngsters to bed. He had to speak now for once the congregation was on its feet the advantage would be lost. Thorpe floundered, then a sudden loudly called query rekindled his determination.
    ‘Wait!’ The ringing voice made every head turn in its direction. ‘Wait, all o’ you. Mr Thorpe don’t mek no habit o’ sayin’ what don’t need the tellin’ an’ for meself I says we should listen, let ’im put his point, an’ again for meself,’ a man’s glance swivelled to fasten on the figure still standing in the plainly wrought pulpit, ‘I asks you, Mr Thorpe, to explain what were meant by the enemy not always actin’ as we would expect?’
    The chance might never come again! Thanking his good fortune Thorpe grasped the moment.
    ‘Friends . . .’
    He lifted both arms in what he hoped would prove a calming gesture as he repeated the call and when the hubbub subsided lowered his hands to his sides, a brief diplomatic smile flitting across his narrow features.
    ‘Friends, we are all weary of war, weary from the pain and heartache it brings, but we must not let weariness close our eyes to what I can only call a danger from within. I said a moment ago the enemy may not always act as we would expect.’
    He paused as silence affirmed his audience’s attention.
    ‘I said also I was in agreement with those of you claiming no strange man has been seen here in Wednesbury, but seeing no threat we look for none and that complacency is our country’s inner danger. The enemy is aware we would suspect a man.’
    A deep frown furrowed his brow as if the next words were a bitterness on his tongue. His head swung slowly side to side as he breathed deeply before saying almost to himself, ‘But a woman, a woman perhaps with a youngster, that would raise no question.’
    Saying God bless to each of the people, watching them shuffle into the darkness of night, Thomas Thorpe congratulated himself. He had left off at just the right moment. He had made no specific accusation; leaving people to dwell on what he had said would prove the wiser way. Mothers with sons at the front, wives who feared every waking moment might bring news of their own man’s sacrifice, they were the means by which the seed he had planted would be nourished.
    He locked the door of the chapel, slipping the key into a pocket of his coat. They would talk, those women, in the market place, in the home, in their place of work, talk over what had been said in the chapel, discuss the possibilities Thomas Thorpe had put forward. If a woman with a child was a spy in the pay of the enemy, she would add to the danger their own sons and husbands were in; and their attention would turn to the one newcomer to their midst with only one result. Ann Spencer and the lad along with her would be driven from the town.

Chapter 4
    Three years. Taking a framed photograph from the mantelshelf above the fireplace of her tiny immaculately neat front parlour Leah Marshall looked through gathering tears at the portrait of two young