With the men still away fighting the women keep the home fires burning - some more than others… Bristol 1942. Following the death of her controlling husband Margaret Routledge is no longer the downtrodden church mouse she once was. Now she’s the talk of the Close frequenting seedy pubs and clubs where men gather to pick up good-time girls. It seems Margaret is past redemption until she sees neighbour Jenny Crawford’s headstrong 16-year-old daughter Gloria on the arm of a man of ill repute and her motherly instincts return. By contrast Jenny's eldest land girl Tilly has a heart of gold but trouble brews when she helps a vulnerable mother and child hiding with a dangerous past. A wayward daughter only adds fire to Jenny’s personal problems which she chooses to keep to herself in the hope that they will go away. Meanwhile Thelma Dawson has landed herself a promotion but will it conflict with her ongoing romance with Peter van Luntzen - and where is he? Will he come back and make good on his promise?
The CorrespondenteAudiobook Reserve Virginia Evans / Maggi-Meg Reed, Jane Oppenheimer, Carly Robins, Jeff Ebner, David Pittu, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Mark Bramhall, Petrea Burchard, RoAvailable 16th December 2026
The Barbecue at No. 9eAudiobook Reserve Jennie Godfrey / Gemma Whelan Josh Dylan Raffey Cassidy Stephen ManganAvailable 10th November 2026
LyrebirdeAudiobook Borrow Jane Caro / Jessica Douglas-Henry