New Book - The Land of My Dreams 1916 - War At Home 3 - (Pages 1 - 94) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

 First Published: 2016

The story continues. It is now 1916. 

Beattie has now met the woman who David is engaged to, Sophy. She has been civil, but she thinks the girl doesn't deserve her son. She is very upset because she feels she is losing her son. When Edward comes home that night, he realises that he forgot about David's fiancée. He realises that Beattie is upset and he tries to comfort her, but she turns her back to him. Edward still visits Elise every week, and he finds the company that he longs for at home. He feels appreciated here, which is a great danger to his marriage.

Bobby is training in the flying school, and all he thinks about is flying. On his way to the training centre he was told that there are too many cadets and few planes, so he can't expect to fly a lot. He realises that it is true soon enough, and during this training he is witness to one of his fellow trainees having an accident and burning to death. Then his dream comes true as he starts his flying lessons, and one day he is allowed to fly alone, and he feels this is what he was born for.

Diana finds herself in the company of Rupert when she goes to visit Lady Wroughton and she is not at home. Rupert makes her stay for tea, and he is as honest as always, but he is not so hostile. During this visit Diana realises that now Rupert is Lord Dene after his brother died. Weeks later Diana goes to stay with Beth in London, and she learns that they have lots of invitations through the intervention of Rupert. The man himself came to ask if Diana was staying with her and how long for. This interest of Rupert bewilders Diana, and I wonder if Rupert wants Diana for herself.

Ethel has changed since Eric died. She is not the same sassy girl, and she feels that there is no sense for her to make the effort. All the men are leaving for the war, and the one that was worthy was killed. So she starts seeing Andy Wood again despite the fact that he is bad news. One Sunday when Frank, the gardener, is there, he talks to her about seeing her with Andy Wood and advises her to stay away from him. Ethel responds in her usual way, hostile and haughy, and Frank tells him that if she ever needs help, he is there for her. Then that night she keeps thinking that her life makes no sense, and from her secret hideout she fishes one of the letters that her real mother wrote, and in the letter Edie tells her mother that she is pregnant again and a man has abandoned her (allegedly the baby's father). There is an address. Ethel then decides to hand in her notice and go and find her mother. 

I am really enjoying this series, and all the subplots which compose the book are engrossing.