Cornelius Hedge finds it difficult enough to talk to people he does know let alone people he doesn't. So he's plunged into gloom when he is dragooned into driving the female friend of a colleague's wife through France. How on earth is he expected to make small talk from Boulogne to Montelimar? First impressions are not auspicious: the moment he introduces himself, the woman inexplicably bursts into tears. But by the time they've reached their destination, Cornelius has grown increasingly fond of the unassuming Katrina. She is interesting, entertaining, amusing; he'd actually like to see more of her. At their age however, the past has a habit of intruding on the present. Ex-husbands, ex-wives, selfish sisters and sulky teenagers all seem to conspire to thwart the budding romance. What's worse, both Katrina and Cornelius are hiding secrets from their past. Secrets that burst into the open — with rather surprising results.

What happens after the 'happy ever after'? When Robin asked Tilly to marry him, it was the happiest moment of her life. Ten years on, the sparkle has faded — household bills, household chores, two small children and a boisterous dog have seen to that — but Tilly is convinced their love can survive even the attentions of interfering in-laws and a glamorous ex-girlfriend. When dramatic news ignites the simmering undercurrents into a full-blown crisis, Tilly is forced to face the fact that her marriage is under threat. Can she and Robin find a way to recapture the love, lust and sense of fun that filled their early years together? Can Tilly find the strength to overcome the obstacles in the path of true happiness? And when temptation arises in an unexpected form — can she, should she — find the will to resist?

Entries from Annie May's Black Book: October 15th, 1974: Miss Baker for telling me how to blow my nose and not believing when I still couldn't do it. February 6th, 1977: David Llewellyn for saying my landscape painting looked like a pig's trough and then making honking noises every time he saw me. April 12th, 1987: Peter Elton for 'borrowing' my cigarettes and never buying any of his own. 9th February, 1988: BEN SEYMOUR FOR EVERYTHING FOR EVER In her Black Book, Annie May has recorded the name and offence of everyone who has ever done her wrong. The greatest transgressor of them all was Ben Seymour: the man who jilted her at the altar seventeen years ago. Now he's moving into a house round the corner...

Two months before Sarah's twin sons leave home for their gap year travel, her husband Andrew, a keen amateur thespian, announces that he's leaving her for his leading lady. Happily married for the past twenty years, Sarah has no idea how to fill her empty house, her empty days, nor play the role of discarded wife. As Sarah is to discover, the way forward is strewn with hazards and humiliations. If she is not to be bludgeoned to pieces, she must acquire skills for survival... fast. Happily for Sarah, help (and hindrance!) is at hand in the form of well-meaning neighbours, a misbehaved mongrel, an eventful trip to Majorca, an unassuming plumber, and an unwelcome role as Mrs De Winter in the forthcoming Ambercross Players' production of Rebecca. In this wickedly funny and hugely entertaining comedy of manners, life in a small Wiltshire village is exposed with a highly infectious sense of humour and a devastatingly accurate eye for detail.