Keep the Home Fires Burning

Keep the Home Fires Burning
Anne Bennett

A moving and gripping drama as one family struggles to survive through the strains of the Second World WarThe year is 1940 and Bill and Marion Whittaker live happily with their three children in a terraced house on Albert Road, in Birmingham.But when Bill enlists to fight in the Second World War, the family are plunged into poverty. Marion is forced to pawn all her worldly possessions and decides to take on two lodgers, Peggy Wagstaffe and Violet Clooney. These two lively girls bring some light relief to the family and bring with them Peggy's handsome brother Sam – who catches the eye of Marion's 16-year-old daughter, Sarah.1944 and the war grinds on. Disaster strikes with an explosion at the local munitions factory, leaving Sarah badly disfigured. Then news comes that Sam has been blinded in action. Can these two injured souls help each other to repair not only their physical but emotional scars? And will Bill return to the safety of family and home?

ANNE BENNETT

Keep the Home Fires Burning

This book is dedicated to my youngest and

second granddaughter, Catrin Louise, who was

born on 28th July 2010 and who has already

given us all great joy.

Contents

Cover (#uc9270e1b-712e-5cc6-b08c-d26243d20a33)

Title Page (#ueb348f1b-be5c-5c6d-aefe-628fb38e168d)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (#litres_trial_promo)

AUTHOR’S NOTE (#litres_trial_promo)

By the same author (#litres_trial_promo)

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About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

ONE (#ulink_2bde2df7-a7db-5ccb-9546-f4564eda312b)

‘I was speaking to Fred Shipley after Mass this morning, Bill Whittaker said as the family sat around the table that early April morning, eating their large breakfast. ‘You know, from a few doors up?’

His wife, Marion, nodded. ‘I know him. Ada’s husband. They have a son in the navy.’

‘So he was saying. He claims they’re getting all the ships into tiptop condition and more are being commissioned. Not that they tell the men much, but apparently they’re recruiting nineteen to the dozen, only it’s all hush-hush at the moment.’

‘Why?’