Ellie Summers' life is unravelling. A couple of months ago, she was quite happy living with her boyfriend Rick in their little cottage, producing paintings of local people's homes. Now, finding herself pregnant and discovering that Rick is less than enthusiastic about imminent parenthood, things seem rather more complicated. She needs a plan. Fast.

Grace Soudley's life is coming apart at the seams - her only real security is the beautiful yet crumbling old house she was left by her godmother. She's scraped together enough money to repair the roof but, riddled with damp and dry rot, Luckenham Park is in serious danger of disintegrating around her unless she finds some more money fast.

When Ellie and Grace meet, the two very different women suddenly find they can help each other out. Ellie needs a place to stay; Grace needs a lodger. Both of them need a friend. Then the disconcertingly engaging Flynn Cormack arrives on the scene, apparently determined to help, and Grace discovers some hidden painted panels. Now the restoration is getting serious...
And when Grace discovers some beautiful painted panels - which may or may not be rather valuable - hidden behind the tattered dining room curtains, the whole business of restoration starts to get serious -

in the library