Evelyn is trapped in an unhappy marriage, fearful for the safety and happiness of herself and her two children, David and Mandy. In a move that is bold for a woman in 1958, she takes the children and escapes to Stotts Corner, a large country town in central Victoria, Australia. Determined to give her family a new and happy life, Evelyn knows that she must find the strength to leave the pains of her past behind.. She reaches out into her adopted community and quickly makes friends. Her new landlord, Thom, is eager to help her build a new lifeboth professionally and personally. He and Evelyn go into business together, opening a caf and then a shop. Evelyn dares to dream of a brighter future, but a woman from Thoms past threatens everything. Martha, Thoms childhood friend and the financier of his new ventures, begins to interfere when she realizes that Evelyn is becoming more than just Thoms business partner. Jealous, Martha holds Thom to ransom over the businesss future.. Bewildered by this unexpected battle of wills, Thom struggles to keep his inner demons at bay. After a lifetime of successfully suppressing his dark side, however, Marthas jealousy causes him to erupt. Thoms devious and manipulative attempts to remove those who stand in the way of his marriage to Evelyn may threaten the happy future she wants with him.. Will her second chance at a happy life be ruined by the man she loves?

by

Mary Helen Farr

English