Across the barricades

This story is about two young people living in Belfast. The girl, Sadie, is a Protestant and the boy, Kevin, is a Catholic. They have been friends for years. At the beginning of the story they have just met again. Even through they know that their relationship is dangerous, because there are a lot of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, they decide to stay together. Their parents don't support the relationship, so Kevin and Sadie tell lies to their families and meet secretly. The situation is becoming more dangerous than even; the fights between Catholics and Protestants are more and more violent: Pubs are in flames, insults are written on the walls and the Two Sides fight each other to death. Mr Blake is an old Protestant widower, who lives outside the city in a big house, alone with his dog. He is a friend of Sadie's. Sadie trusts him and tells him about all her problems with Kevin. Even though Mr Blake is a Protestant and knows Sadie's family very well, he's for peace. And so he agrees to help them. He gives them the opportunity to see each other in his house. Sadie decides to leave her job, because many people criticize her for going out with a Catholic boy. Sadie and Kevin often meet at Mr Blake's house. One day Mr Blake invites them to a trip to the country in his car. Suddenly the wheels of Mr Blake's car come loose and they have an accident. Mr Blake is injured and has to be taken to hospital. Sadie and Kevin want to know who is the responsible. They have many suspicions but no proof. Kevin realizes that it may be him who is the cause of their problems. Before the accident he fell out with his old Catholic friend, because he didn't want to fight against Protestants. The troubles are going on; more and more people are victims of this religions conflict. At the end of this tragic <war and love> story Mr Blake dies. A killer throws a bomb into his house. Kevin feels depressed and guilty, so he decides to leave the city for another place to live. Sadie follows him secretly... On the ferry to England they find each other again. TOP