HATTIE'S HOME

THE BERMONDSEY BOOKSHOP

1920s London. Kate Goss, bullied by her aunt after the death of her mother, dreams of being rescued by her father, who she only dimly remembers. At seventeen, she finds a job as a cleaner in the Bermondsey Bookshop and Reading Room, and here she finds a world she never knew existed. But long-held secrets are about to ensnare her in a web of lies and violence. Can she ever escape? And will the man she has begun to love still be there if she does?

BOURBON CREAMS AND TATTERED DREAMS

Handsome Frank Rossi took Matty Gilbie away from her working class roots in East London, promising her fame and fortune. But the Wall Street Crash puts paid to all that, and as Frank becomes more violent, Matty flees back home to Bermondsey. But Frank is determined to find her and get her back.

CUSTARD TARTS AND BROKEN HEARTS

They call them the custard tarts - the girls who work at Pearce Duff's custard powder factory in Bermondsey before the First World War. Conditions are hard but nothing can quench the spirit of humour and friendship - or the rising tide of anger that will finally bring the girls out on strike for a better deal.

GUNNER GIRLS AND FIGHTER BOYS

As London goes up in flames during the Blitz, two sisters from Bermondsey find their lives changed out of all recognition… When a bombing raid destroys nearly everything she holds dear, May joins the ATS and becomes a gunner girl. Peggy is trapped in a stifling marriage yet amid the chaos of war, a route to freedom beckons. From war will come hardship and tragedy, as well as new, unexpected friendships and love affairs.

JAM AND ROSES

Three sisters in 1920s struggle to make ends meet and protect their mother from their violent father. Milly works in Southwells jam factory, Elsie dreams of a career on the stage, while little Amy runs wild with her friends. The three girls fear the unforgiving temper of their father and their courageous attempts to protect their defenceless mother will have dramatic, disastrous consequences for them all.

A SISTER'S STRUGGLE

London, 1935. Ruby is always hungry, but she will go without if it means her young brothers can eat. 1930s Bermondsey might be called the larder of London, with its pie, pickle and jam factories, but for the poor working classes, starvation is often only a heartbeat away. When Ruby's neighbour suggests she ought to go to the Methodist Mission for free food, Ruby knows her father will be furious, but that she has no other option. It is a decision that will change the course of her life forever, split her family and in the end lead her to face a terrible choice between duty and a great love.