A Late Lark Singing By Sybil Marshall

Pre-owned. After the excitement of the Bridgefoot-Bellamy wedding, the arrival of a new rector and a new doctor, Fran and William Burbage, finally ‘respectable’ in the eyes of the village, hope for a period of calm. But: ‘You’re lost all your dossity, and the ‘ouse ain’t the same!’ wails Sophie, distraught over the sale of the school and the antics of her awkward relatives. Indeed, if nothing is badly wrong, nothing is quite right either. William’s pleasure in his marriage and his absorbing new work on ‘Bob’s book’ is marred by the lingering shadow of his dead wife, while the urgent need for church repairs forces Nigel into an unpopular decision. Whispers of scandal surround the Baileys, and though Dr Hardy is quickly accepted by the village, Anthea Pelham remains aloof. Greg’s artistic career is on the way at last, but the traumas of young Nick’s accident are still causing pain to him and all around him. And the rift between ancient Aunt Sar’anne and chancy-tempered Thirzah threatens to poison the air of Old Swithinford beyond curing. But if things can’t always be ‘the same’, they can change for the better. As the seasons roll by, some natural solutions present themselves, and others are achieved by a good deal of wily manoeuvring behind the scenes. For nobody knows more about survival than those in a rural East Anglian community, and nobody knows more about human nature and country ways than Sybil Marshall. In very good condition. A little creasing and some sunning to dustjacket. A little light tanning to edges. Hardcover. Published by Michael Joseph Ltd 1997