Although many novels have been written that are set during the second world war there aren't many set in Northern Ireland which makes These Days by Lucy Caldwell of huge interest from a historical point of view as well as being a great romantic and dramatic novel. The central characters are the Bell family, in particular the two daughters, Audrey and Emma. They are young women, Audrey turns twenty one as the book opens and Emma is a few years younger. Audrey, who works in the tax office, is dating Richard, a doctor colleague of her father's, and Emma works at a first aid post. The parents, Philip and Florence figure largely in the narrative and there is a son, Paul, who is still at school. In addition, a woman and young girl help out with the housework and we are introduced to the wider family and Audrey's and Emma's colleagues. The author describes the terror felt by the citizens of Belfast during the blitz and the devastation wreaked on the city. There is a great deal of death and destruction yet, during it all, lives go on with the usual worries and concerns.