Starve Acre

by Andrew Michael Hurley

  Sitting in the rocking chair, Juliette set it going with her foot and stroked the animal’s ears. When it was settled, she undid the belt of her dressing gown, working her shoulder free and cupping her breast, which had grown engorged and milky white. She offered the nipple to the hare and, with a paw resting on her sternum, it latched tight and drank.

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks to Nathan Connolly at Dead Ink Books for commissioning the book in the first place and inviting me to be part of the unique Eden Book Society project. Also, everyone at John Murray who has worked so hard to bring the book together – my fabulous editor, Mark Richards, for his continued faith in my writing and to Becky Walsh, Amanda Waters and Morag Lyall for their close attention to detail and all their invaluable advice. Thanks to publicists extraordinaire Yassine Belkacemi and Emma Petfield for their ongoing support in promoting my work. As always, I am indebted to Lucy Luck, my fantastic agent. Thank you for all you do, especially keeping me sane and in gainful employment. Finally, to my beautiful family, Jo, Ben and Tom – thanks for being so understanding when I’m burning the midnight oil out in the shed.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Also By

  Imprint Page

  Dedication

  Thomas Hardy Poem

  The Hare A Folk Song

  Contents

  Part One

  Overnight, snow had fallen . . .

  Part Two

  Although she had gutted . . .

  Acknowledgements