A heart-warming tale from the queen of West Country saga. Orphaned at birth, Eliza lives with her beloved Grandparents in a waterlogged Somerset cottage surrounded by willow beds where she ekes out a living making laundry baskets and eel traps. Although poor she is content, until childhood friend Clem, regales her with tales of his adventures along the river and she begins to wonder what life is like beyond the Droves. When fate brings handsome, wealthy Theo to her workshop she is instantly attracted and a rosy future beyond the Droves beckons. Only things don't go to plan and naive Eliza finds herself in Lavender House where she is expected to care for gentlemen in a way she never imagined. Forced to flee for her life, she ends up in a woollen mill run by a corrupt foreman, working for crumbs and pennies with only her grandmother's comb in her pocket. Now she knows what matters in life – but is it too late? And will she ever be able to return home to those who love her? Praise for the author: "Warm and atmospheric, you can practically taste the sea breeze." THE EXPRESS "Sure to delight her ever-growing legion of fans." DILLY COURT