It's the 1950's & when her parents abandon their seedy Streatham pub for a tearoom in Kent, life for April changes dramatically. She is befriended by the wonderfully dangerous Ruby and by the creepy but immaculately dressed Mr Greenridge, who likes to follow her around the village.

From the first chapter I wasn't sure I take to this tale but as soon as it slipped back in time to eight-year-old April's life in the 1950's it was a joy. The characters are quirky & amusing...& creepy (the paedophiliac Mr Greenridge..eeyuck!)

The humour reminded me in style of Kate Atkinson. This bit in particular made me smile...
April is asking her Mum if "The Copper Kettle" has been busy -

"Have you been busy, Mum?"
"Rushed off my feet, I don't think. Only your Mr Greenridge & a travelling saleman in ladies underwear."
We stared at her.
"How did you know?" I asked.

Spare copy picked up as I'm sure I've spotted it on a friends wishlist :o)

I spy on a wishlist......

Released as part of the NOVEMBER "THE" CHALLENGE (#47)

Received in a surprise Christmas RABCK parcel from Plum-Crazy. Thanks very much. The parcel also contained a pack of Christmas cozytoes socks, some reindeer-shaped Maltesers and another book (And the Mountains Echoed by KhaledHosseini). I am a very lucky Daffodil. The book looks interesting and as it's quite small it may soon accompany me on a journey and be released far away.
Review 12.1.2017. "I enjoyed this book which took me back to my own childhood. I cringed st the audacity of Mr. Greenidge as he relentlessly pursued poor April. I loved the relationship between the two girls April and Ruby and how they supported each other. "

This book was given to my friend Diane when I visited her this afternoon. She had enjoyed other BC books that I have recommended to her so I hope she likes this one too.


To the finder:-
Welcome to bookcrossing -you have found a travelling book. Please make a journal entry now to say where you found the book in case it has been moved. Then, when you have read it, please come back and make a further entry saying whether or not you enjoyed the book and why. It is now yours to do as you like with it, pass it to a friend or just leave it somewhere different for someone else to find and help it with its' journey. Of course if you can't bear to part with it at the moment then keep it, but please let me know that you have found it. If you join bookcrossing, which is free and spam-free, you can follow the book on its' travels as you will get an email each time it changes hands, but if you prefer to remain anonymous, that's fine too. Please also say what you intend to do with the book next. Thanks for coming onto the site to let me know you have found the book.

I already have books travelling in many countries around the world-a list can be found on my bookcrossing profile.

When re-releasing this book please be aware that airports are not a good place to leave books unless they have a specific book exchange shelf or area, due to security problems, so they may well just be disposed of. Also charity shops may well discard books that have been labelled in any way and they mostly chose only the books in the very best condition
to place on their shelves and discard the rest-so another bad release option.