Gripping, epic and heartbreaking historical fiction, about one woman’s survival against all odds during the unbearable hardships of World War Two.
1939, England. Bess Dudley knows what it means to lose what you love. As daughter of a groom at historic Foxden Hall, she’s pushed herself to escape her humble background and train as a teacher, but she’s made huge sacrifices along the way. Just as Bess arrives in London to take up her first, hard-won post, the shadow of war sweeps over England. Bombs rip apart the city, and screeching air raids become a part of everyday life. London is thrown into chaos and schools close, taking Bess’s dreams with them.
Then Bess learns that James, the handsome heir to Foxden Hall – who she’s loved since childhood – is engaged to Annabel Hadley. Annabel is everything Bess is not – a wealthy aristocrat – but James never seemed to care about those things before. It breaks Bess’s heart to see him with someone else.
