019 - Book 2 Chapter 5

In the second installment of Bennetts captivating series set in the Five Towns—reflecting the real-life Potteries of Staffordshire—Hilda Lessways delves into the life of Hilda before her marriage to Edwin Clayhanger, a character introduced in the first book. This richly woven narrative follows Hildas journey as she strives for independence and navigates her professional life as a shorthand clerk and a lodging house keeper in bustling London and vibrant Brighton. As her relationship with the enigmatic George Cannon deepens, Hilda faces the tumultuous consequences of a bigamous marriage and unexpected pregnancy, ultimately leading her back to a poignant reconciliation with Edwin Clayhanger. (Summary by Simon Evers)