Alive and Kicking

By Beryl Kingston

September, 1914

Since her parents’ death, Rose Boniface has been like a mother to her younger brother and sisters. But now it’s September 1914 and London’s headlines shriek WAR!

With her brothers away, it is only Rose’s income as a parlourmaid that keeps the Boniface family afloat. Then, with best friend Muriel in charge of the books and Rose’s firebrand sister, Netta drumming up orders, Ritzy Clothes is launched.

They are women alone, forced to cope for themselves until their menfolk march home: Bertie, Collum and handsome, laughing Jack Jeary, who steals Rose’s heart but gives her a most precious gift in return . . .

Beryl Kingston was born in Tooting in 1931 and was evacuated during the war. She studied at King’s College London, qualified as a teacher and headed an English department. She was been a published author since 1980 and is a self-confessed ‘political animal’, taking part in street demonstrations and protests. She was also a beauty queen in 1947!