Emmaline Severn
The year is 1903. Beautiful and passionate Gloria Armstrong waits anxiously on the snowy steps of the Durham register office, she is eighteen years old and pregnant. Knowing her domineering father will be outraged, headstrong Gloria has eloped to marry her handsome fiancé, aspiring doctor Gerald Phelps. Upon their return to London, as anticipated, Gloria’s infuriated father disowns her. However, despite their initial disappointment, Gerald’s parents show far more compassion and understanding and treat Gloria as their own daughter. Thrust into the world of a wealthy upper-class doctor’s wife, it would appear Gloria has it all, but haunted by a gypsy woman’s prophecy that she will never find true happiness, will her hasty marriage stand the test of time? As Gloria navigates her family through the tumult of two World Wars and into her twilight years, her emotionally charged life is a tapestry of betrayal, tragedy, love and friendship. As the story unfolds, through tears and laughter, Gloria’s life journey from girl to woman will entice the reader to keep turning the pages and discover what lies ahead. The lingering question remains; will Gloria ever find the true love and contentment she desires, and if so, can she preserve it?
