Description
Book SynopsisLove, life and motherhood... beyond the convent gates
Trade ReviewFrom a secluded world of abstinence and spiritual searching, Eleanor walked out into challenge, disappointment, health problems, relationship ups and downs – in fact, a life familiar to most of us! Her practical, sometimes faltering response, along with a healthy dose of humility and humour, contributes to this heartwarming tale of love, resilience and hope for us all. -- Pam Rhodes
"A unique and courageous story of a fabulous and feisty woman moving from the constraints of a convent to the hedonism of the sixties. A tale of feminism, motherhood and courage." -- Emma Freud OBE, Broadcaster and Social Commentator
“It’s a story which could be straight out of TV’s Call The Midwife.” -- The Daily Mail
“Gripping, funny, poignant, and convincing, it is a powerful evocation of a world about which few of us know.” -- Gervase Phinn, bestselling author of The Other Side of the Dale
Table of ContentsContents
Ack nowledgments 7
Prologue 9
PART 1: Adaptat ion: Chichester 1969–70 11
1 Homecoming 13
2 Problems 21
3 Employment 26
4 A Fine but Brief Romance 33
5 Di and Dee, and a Revelation 42
6 T ales from the Unit 49
7 A Seriously Foolish Affair 58
8 Penzance and the Lu re of Crayfish 66
PART 2: Catal ogue of Errors: Poole 1970–71 73
9 Interlude 75
10 R oses Round the Door 80
11 M ould, Mildew and Other Issues 86
12 L ost in Lilliput 92
13 Af termath 96
PART 3: A New Beginning: Port smouth 1971–76 99
14 A Sister Once Again 101
15 A Flat, and a Cat Called Jeremy 106
16 A Brother’s Recommendation 114
17 Ni ghts – July 1972 124
For John, Esme and Paul
18 A Courtship 132
19 The Family 138
20 Weddi ngs 143
PART 4: Marriage and Motherhood: 1973–79 153
21 Further Adaptation 155
22 Honeymoon 162
23 Disaster 167
24 M oving House 172
25 The Investigative Process 178
26 Esme 183
27 Conflict 191
28 Intermission 196
29 Ab out the Boy 201
30 The Calm 208
31 The Storm 214
Epilogue 222
