This novel takes place during the Second World War.
Alice Todd is recruited as a warden for a hostel which will accommodate girls of the Women's Land Army. She is picked up by Margery Brewster, the representative, and they get to a farm, belonging to Roger Bayliss and run by Rose Crocker, a widow. Alice has no experience in running establishments like this, but Margery explains that there are not many to choose from, and Alice studied hospitality at college. Alice notices the run-down place, and she is convinced that she will turn down the offer.
When she arrives home, she finds her husband there with their son, Edward-John. We discover that James, the husband, has transferred his affections to his secretary and personal assistant, Penny. Today he tells Alice that he has come to pick up the rest of his things. When Edward-John comes and asks her where she has been and she says that she had an interview for a job on a farm, the boy is enthusiastic even though she tells him that he will have to board at school on weekdays. So Alice finally agrees to take the job.
The hostel is to take a bunch of land girls. The first ones we are introduced to are Marion and Winnie Spriggs, who tend to be girls in search of fun. There is also Hanna-Maria Sorokova of Polish origin, and her family owns the factory that makes the uniforms for land girls, and she has been one of the workers in the factory, and now she has decided to wear one of those uniforms. Georgina Webster who comes from a well-off family, whose brother Lionel is frustrated because he has not been allowed to join the war, and that is why Georgina decided to join the Land Army.
This book has already hooked me, and I am looking forward to discovering more about these women.
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