Secrets of the Sewing Bee

From the author of Secrets of the Singer Girls

Orphan Flossy Brown arrives at Trout's garment factory in Bethnal Green amidst the uncertainty of the Second World War.

Flossy is embraced by the colourful characters working at Trout's, who have turned their sewing expertise to vital war work. They fast become the family that Flossy has always longed for. Dolly Doolaney, darling of the East End, and infamous tea lady, helps Flossy settle into wartime life.

Peggy Piper, another new recruit at the factory, is used to the high life working as a nippie in the West End, and is not best pleased to find herself bent over a sewing machine. But war has the ability to break down all sorts of class barriers and soon Peggy finds the generosity and spirit of her fellow workers difficult to resist.

Dolly sets up a sewing circle and the ladies at Trout's play their part in defending the frontline as they arm themselves with their needles and set about stitching their way to victory. But as the full force of the Blitz hits London, the sewing bee are forced to shelter in the underground tube stations.

In such close quarters, can Dolly manage to contain the secret that binds them all? And how will Peggy and Flossy cope as their lives are shaped and moved by forces outside of their control?

PRAISE FOR SECRETS OF THE SINGER GIRLS

'Marvellous, full of gutsy characters I immediately empathised with.' Margaret Pemberton

'The way Kate Thompson writes ... made me feel that I was reading about old friends. I just had to keep the pages turning. I am sure that before long her readers will be clambering for more.' Pam Weaver

'A poignant and moving story of the friendship of women during wartime Britain.' Val Wood