Kate (from the 2018 novel The Lido) has a three-month-old daughter, Rosie, with husband Jay but she’s finding motherhood isn’t what she’d expected. They have moved from London to Somerset to be closer to her family but she misses her job as a newspaper reporter, her friends and swimming at the lido.
Phoebe is a mental health nurse, who is overworked but loves her job helping people through difficult times in their lives. She meets Kate when they join a river swimming group.
This heartwarming and vividly told story is about finding a sense of community, reaching out when you’re struggling, and accepting that self-care and connection are vital to wellbeing.
Friends Hannah and Mona are waitresses at Stella's Cafe in London but both have dreams of being performers - Hannah as a singer, Mona as a dancer. As they head towards their thirties, they are wondering if their break is ever going to come.
This story tracks one 24-hour period at the all-night cafe, introducing us to many of the customers and staff, and it unfolds as an interesting exercise in people-watching. The transition between characters is handled deftly and many of the stories are very touching, including the uni student who has lost his mum and the older couple who have found love after their first marriages. A lovely read and one to lend to a cherished friend.
