A heartwarming and "thoroughly enjoyable" novel of friendship, family, and second chances (The Times, London).

Sylvia Appleby is lonely and dissatisfied with her life. She left her husband Frederick, a clergyman and a drunk, some years ago now, and hasn't seen him since. Her two children have grown up and moved out, leaving her to deal with her awful mother who keeps threatening to descend upon her from Manchester at any moment.

Her only consolation is her loyal dog, Prophecy, but even he cannot fill the huge void in her life.

So when she sees Mr. Hardcastle's advertisement for a cook and housekeeper at his beautiful home in Sussex, she jumps at the opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. However, it's not long before Sylvia realizes that she's not the only one with a complicated past, as she finds herself entangled in her employer's problems—including his turbulent relationship with his money-grubbing daughter and his equally worrying relationship with alcohol.

Is Sylvia simply doomed to repeat the past, or is it still possible for her to find her happily ever after?