A Great Beauty by A O'Connor

Author:A O'Connor [O'Connor, A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, Michael Collins. Kiit Kearnan, Historical Irish Fiction
ISBN: 9781781997970
Publisher: Poolbeg Press
Published: 2019-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

As the train pulled into Euston Station the British police officers who had been travelling on the train entered Michael’s carriage.

“We have a police protection unit waiting to escort you to Chelsea, Mr. Collins. Perhaps my men can work with –” the chief officer glanced disparagingly at Michael’s squad of bodyguards lounging around the carriage, “with yours.”

“It will be our pleasure!” called one of the bodyguards with a note of sarcasm in his voice.

As Michael looked out at the platform he saw it was thronged with people.

“We will have to move you quickly through the crowd, Mr. Collins, for your own safety,” said the police officer.

When the train became stationary, he opened the carriage door.

Looking out at the sea of faces, Michael said “Who are all these people? What are they waiting for?”

“You! They’re waiting for you, Mick!” said Malcom, whose face always seemed agitated, his demeanour always stressed, his attire always immaculate.

Michael was stunned at the size of the crowd.

“That’s him! That must be Michael Collins!” screamed a woman and the gigantic crowd began to cheer and push forward.

Michael’s bodyguards and the police quickly took control of the situation and he found himself being manoeuvred through the crowd.

People were calling his name and surging forward to try and touch him. The press was there in force and they struggled to get near him.

“How does it feel to be in London, Michael?” called a journalist.

“Bless you, Michael!” came a scream from the crowd.

As they approached the car, a pack of journalists were waiting there. Michael was pushed into the automobile by the policemen and his head of publicity got in beside him.

“Get me the fuck out of here!” Michael shouted at the police driver.

As the automobile started moving through the crowd people were jostling to get a view of him inside.

“You can’t blame them, Mick,” said Malcom. “You’ve been an enigma for years – a name they couldn’t put a face to and suddenly here you are in full view.”

“I spent years trying to hide my face and now they’ve all seen me,” said Michael in despair.

“And the whole nation will see you tomorrow. You’ll be on the front page of every newspaper.”

“Did they give the other delegates this reception when they arrived?”

“No, but you’re the one they wanted to see. You know, everyone expected to see some kind of monster and instead they got a matinee idol. You’re going to be a star, Michael Collins.”

Michael shook his head grimly. “It’s a long way from Cork.”

As the cavalcade of automobiles arrived at Cadogan Place in Chelsea, Michael was shocked to see another huge crowd gathered outside the house they were to stay in. The house, 15 Cadogan Gardens, was one in a row of very large five-storey buildings.

“I don’t like all this,” said Joe Dolan, one of Michael’s bodyguards who sat beside him in the vehicle. “This is a massive security risk – there could be any number of assassins in that crowd.”

Michael understood Joe’s concerns. As one of Michael’s

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