As the other men moved in, Paul slashed with the jambiya down the left side of the large man's skull, slicing off the ear. One of the other men pulled a knife from his pocket, and Michael Rashid, filled with energy he had never known, slashed sideways with his own jambiya, cutting open the man's cheek, sending him howling with pain.
One of the others picked up a branch and used it as a club to strike at George, but Kate Rashid ran from where she'd been hiding, picked up a rock and hurled it into his face with a shrill cry in Arabic.
As quickly as it had begun, it was over. The rest of the group stood warily, in silence, not even the women and children crying out, and suddenly the skies opened and rain poured down. The leader held a soiled handkerchief to his ear, or what was left of it, and groaned, 'I'll get you for this.'
'No, you won't,' Paul Rashid said. 'Because if you ever come near this estate or my mother again, it won't be your other ear you'll lose. It will be your private parts.'
He wiped his jambiya on the man's coat, then produced a Walther pistol from his pocket and fired twice into the side of the kettle over the fire. Water poured out and the flames began to subside.
'I'll give you one hour to clear out. I believe the National Health Hospital in Maudsley covers even scum like you. But do take me seriously.' He paused. 'If you and your friends ever bother my mother again, I will kill you. Nothing is more certain.'
The three young men drove away through the rain, Kate following on her horse. The rain was relentless as they entered the village of Dauncey and drove up to the pub named the Dauncey Arms. Paul braked outside, they got out and Kate slid off her mare and tied her to a small tree.
She stood looking at them in the rain, her face troubled. 'I'm sorry that I disobeyed you, brother.' But Paul kissed her on both cheeks and said, 'You were wonderful, little sister.' He held her for a moment as his brothers looked on, then released her. 'And it's high time you had your first glass of champagne.'