The latest in the Ration Book series begins with a prologue which takes the reader back to Ireland in June 1877, when a five-year-old Philomena Dooley (AKA Queenie Brogan) meets childhood sweetheart Patrick Mahone (who is two years older) for the first time. A bond is quickly established between the pair, but the encounter is abruptly ended by Patrick's narrow-minded sister, Nora.
Chapter One then switches to London in February 1945 when, on the way back from collecting her food rations, Queenie witnesses Father Mahon being taken to hospital after collapsing at church. It's soon revealed that Father Mahon is Patrick Mahone and the chapter ends with another flashback to 19th Century Ireland when we are told that Philomena envisaged spending her life with Patrick. Now that he is dying, can Queenie finally tell the secret she has kept for over fifty years or will Nora once again come between them? And if Queenie does decide to tell Patrick, could the truth destroy the Brogan family?
Chapter One then switches to London in February 1945 when, on the way back from collecting her food rations, Queenie witnesses Father Mahon being taken to hospital after collapsing at church. It's soon revealed that Father Mahon is Patrick Mahone and the chapter ends with another flashback to 19th Century Ireland when we are told that Philomena envisaged spending her life with Patrick. Now that he is dying, can Queenie finally tell the secret she has kept for over fifty years or will Nora once again come between them? And if Queenie does decide to tell Patrick, could the truth destroy the Brogan family?