The Runaway Children
Page 31
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I opened the back door to let in some air, just as Jimmy started to walk across the yard. He was holding his hat in one hand, a slight frown on his face, lost in thought. I watched as he approached, that familiar, long-legged, slightly loping stride, those broad shoulders, the untidy hair; his face already brown from being outside in all weathers. He must have felt my eyes on him because he looked up and grinned. He raised the hand holding the hat in greeting and I raised my hand in return. He quickened his pace and I met him at the door.
‘Hello, missus,’ he said.
‘Hello, mister!’
He put the hat down on the dresser, took my face in his hands and kissed me. He smelled of the outdoors and of the animals and the sun and the hay. I loved the smell of him; I loved everything about him. It wasn’t the same now as it had been when we were young; it was a less urgent, less anxious, more settled kind of love.
‘Where are the boys?’
‘Outside.’
We crossed to the window that looked over the garden and stood there with our arms around each other, watching our children play.
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If you enjoyed The Runaway Children, you’ll love When We Danced at the End of the Pier by Sandy Taylor - an utterly gripping and heart-wrenching story about the enduring power of love, hope and friendship set in 1930s Brighton. Get it here.
When We Danced at the End of the Pier
BRIGHTON GIRLS TRILOGY BOOK 1
Available here.
* * *
Brighton 1930: Maureen O’Connell is a carefree girl, but her family is on the brink of tragedy, war is looming and life will never be the same again.
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Jack and Nelson have always been dear friends to Maureen. Despite their different backgrounds, they’ve seen each other through thick and thin.
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As Maureen blossoms from a little girl into a young woman, the candle she’s always held for Jack burns bright. But just as she’s found love, war wrenches them apart. The man she cherishes with all her heart is leaving.
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When the bombs start to fall, Maureen and her family find themselves living in the most dangerous of times. With Jack no longer by her side and Nelson at war, Maureen has never felt more alone. Can she look to a brighter future? And will she find the true happiness she’s dreamt of?
* * *
An utterly gripping and heart-wrenching story about the enduring power of love, hope and friendship during the darkest of days. Perfect for fans of Pam Jenoff, Nadine Dorries and Diney Costeloe.
Hear more from Sandy Taylor
If you can’t wait to read more from Sandy Taylor, you can sign up here to be the first to know about her new releases. We promise to only contact you when there’s a new book out, and we’ll never share you email address.
Also by Sandy Taylor
Brighton Girls Trilogy
When We Danced at the End of the Pier (Book 1)
The Girls from See Saw Lane (Book 2)
Counting Chimneys (Book 3)
The Girls from See Saw Lane
BRIGHTON GIRLS TRILOGY BOOK 2
Get it here.
* * *
‘I loved this novel so much, even though it’s probably the most heart-breaking story I’ve read all year...it will totally absorb you and capture your heart.’ That Thing She Reads
* * *
Brighton 1963. Mary Pickles and I walked along the street with our arms linked, looking in shop windows. We were best friends and together we were invincible.
* * *
Dottie and Mary forged a friendship over a bag of penny sweets when they were eight years old. They’ve shared everything together since then – the highs and lows of school, family dramas, hopes and dreams and now, at seventeen, they’re both shop girls, working at Woolworths.
* * *
As they go out in the world in pursuit of love and happiness, the simplicity of their childhood dissolves as life becomes more complicated. The heady excitement of first love will consume them both, but the pain of unintentional betrayal will test their friendship in ways neither of them could ever imagine…
* * *
A charming, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting novel which brings a bygone era vividly to life. Fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Pam Weaver will love The Girls from See Saw Lane.
Counting Chimneys
BRIGHTON GIRLS TRILOGY BOOK 3
Available here.
* * *
Brighton 1969: Dottie Perks steps off the train and breathes in the sea air, the smell of fish and chips, and the precious childhood memories of a friend and place she’ll never forget.
* * *
Dottie Perks has forged a new life for herself in London, a new job and sweet boyfriend Joe to keep her warm at night. She’s safe, happy and loved. What more could she ask for?
* * *
But when Dottie returns home to Brighton for a family celebration, the last person she expects to see is her first love; the boy who stole her heart… and broke it. Ralph Bennett.
* * *
As old familiar feelings come rushing to the surface, Dottie struggles to deny the strong chemistry that still exists between them. She can’t throw away everything to be with Ralph…can she? And if she does, how can they ever overcome the pain and tragedy of their shared past?
* * *
A beautiful, touching and heartbreaking story of love, loss and friendship. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Katie Flynn.
A Letter from Sandy
Thank you so much for choosing to read The Runaway Children. For those of you who have read and enjoyed The Brighton Girls trilogy, I hope you enjoy Nell and Olive’s story just as much.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers for your ongoing support and wonderful reviews: it means a lot to me, you really are the best.
If you’d like to be kept up-to-date on my new releases, you can sign up here. Your email address will never be shared and you’ll only be contacted when I have a new book out.
If you have enjoyed my story I would be very grateful if you could take a moment to post a short review, which may help new readers to discover my books.
I love hearing from you and I will always respond to your messages. I really do appreciate you all.
Thank you again.
Sandy x
Acknowledgements
As always, there are so many people to thank. Firstly, my wonderful children and grandchildren, who amaze me every day with their unconditional love and support. I know my writing means we don’t get to see each other as much as we would like to, but know that you are always in my heart and if you need me, I’ll be there in a shot.
To the wonderful team at Bookouture: Oliver Rhodes, Claire Bord, who has always supported my writing – thank you, Claire – and the lovely Kim Nash, thank you for all you have done for me. My lovely new editor, Natasha Harding, thank you for loving my book and for your sensitive editing. It’s a joy working with you.
I want to thank my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews for always believing in me – I love you all very much.
To my friends, Angela, Lynda, Linda and Lis, thanks for all the chats over cups of tea – I would be lost without you all.
To my dear friends, Lesley, Louie and Wend, thank you for always being there, love ya lots.
And to my wonderful agent, Kate Hordern, thank you for everything, Kate.
Published by Bookouture in 2017
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An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
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www.bookouture.com
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Copyright © Sandy Thomas, 2017
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Sandy Thomas has asserted her right to be identified
as the author of this work.
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All rights reserved
. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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ISBN: 978-1-78681-288-9
eBook ISBN: 978-1-78681-287-2
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Epilogue
When We Danced at the End of the Pier
Hear more from Sandy Taylor
Also by Sandy Taylor
The Girls from See Saw Lane
Counting Chimneys
A Letter from Sandy
Acknowledgements
Copyright