Isabella Ashton has always been her father's favourite, but when she becomes involved with the new birth control movement, Simeon is scandalised. He tells himself that it will be merely a phase before she settles down to a respectable marriage, but as Bella's enthusiasm for 'fallen women' shows no sign of abating, Simeon loses patience and banished her from the family home. Running a family planning clinic in Salford's mean streets is challenging but rewarding work, and Bella is grateful for the help of Violet Howarth, a big, generous-hearted woman who takes her in. Violet's son Dan also supports her mission and comradeship quickly turns into love. But Bella is also involved with handsome, ne'er-do-well Billy Quinn, leader of an illegal betting ring. His jealousy and possessiveness brings matters to a head and Bella finds everything she has worked for at risk, and herself in mortal danger...
Born in Lancashire, Freda Lightfoot lived for a number of years in the Lake District where she ran a bookshop. She then tried her hand at the 'good life', kept sheep and hens, various orphaned cats and dogs, built drystone walls, planted a small wood and even learned how to make jam. She has now given up her thermals to build a house in an olive grove in Spain, where she produces her own olive oil. She has published over 30 novels including many bestselling family sagas and historical novels.
