Portsmouth in the dark years of the first World War is the setting of Julia Bryant's first novel in her series about the Forrest women of Portsea.
The day the Jutland telegrams arrive in Portsea, the lives of three women change dramatically.
Miriam Slattery, the barmaid at the Captain Hardy, believes that afternoon in 1916 will be the happiest day of her life. Instead, a terrible betrayal is waiting for her. Beattie Forrest, mother, grandmother and widow of sailors, faces tragedy again - while rescuing a family even harder hit than hers. And Lily Forrest, just twelve years old, will always believe that the telegram boy who brought the news of her brother's death stole her birthday.
But all three women have reserves of courage and hope beyond even their own dreams. As the grim days of the war give way to peace at last, Miriam, Beattie and Lily go on to grab their futures with both hands. Soon each of them, in her own way, will find the love and security she has been craving.
Julia Bryant's first novel is a moving and joyous story of the women who stayed behind in Portsmouth in World War I and the sailors they loved.
A vividly told and heartwarming saga.
