Helen Forrester

The story of three women: Ellen, Emmie and Gwen who are caught up in the destruction of the Second World War. Ellen’s home is destroyed by bombs, Gwen is concerned for the safety of her family and Emmie fears for her merchant seaman fiancé, thousands of miles away in the South Atlantic.

When her husband dies suddenly, Louise Gilmore and her daughters Edna and Celia are left with nothing but debts. Forced to move from their fine Liverpool house to a run-down cottage in Hoylake, the three women must learn to make their way in an entirely new world. Although they live with fear, uncertainty and even despair, the women find there are also unexpected opportunities in store.

In 1948, while visiting the grave of her husband in Normandy, Barbara Bishop meets Frenchman Michel Benion. As the attraction grows between them there is the prospect of a new life together, if they can only overcome many difficulties.