London, 1923. Cyril Black is finally out of prison. Rather than going home to his wife and son, he visits his mistress only to find that she's given birth to his daughter - and wants nothing to do with her. His wife, Florrie, reluctantly agrees to take them in. But there's no love in her heart for another woman's child...

1939. At sixteen, Penny Black lives in constant fear of her mother's temper. Her only friend is her twelve-year-old neighbour, Katy Darwin. When they learn Katy will be evacuated to the countryside, the two come up with a plan to smuggle Penny along. Farm life in Kent is a far cry from Penny's Battersea upbringing... but there's only so long she can live a lie. Will Penny ever find the love and acceptance she's always longed for?

The stunning new standalone wartime saga from Sunday Times bestselling author Kitty Neale. Pre-order now!