Carolyn Oldershaw

A young mother flees from a bad marriage to her safe childhood home.

Grace, married with two children, feels she’s missed out on her youth, until she discovers ballroom dancing. Husband Barry allows her to indulge her new interest, but then she meets Philip who promises her a better life.

Despite being trapped in an abusive marriage, Maggie still feels blessed with her eight-year-old twins, Danny and Lizzie, and baby girl, Lucy. But when the Second World War begins the twins are evacuated to North Wales, and while Maggie struggles to survive the bombings at home, her children face danger of a different kind.

For over ten years, Sue Townsend has written a monthly column for Sainsbury's Magazine. Collected here, they form a set of pieces from one of Britain's most popular and acclaimed writers that are funny, perceptive and touching.

Kay Clifton has waited five long years for her husband, Bob, to come home from the war. It is not surprising that she feels apprehensive when she meets him at the station!