"Keep your head down and your heart hard. That's your kindness."

It is October 1966 and William Lavery is attending his first black-tie do. Nineteen years old, he has just graduated from the Thames College of Embalming and is the youngest embalmer in the country. He is there with glorious Gloria who he has loved since their first conversation a year earlier. She is wearing a tight black dress with sequins, through which her whole body seems to be winking at William.

Then, during the evening, news hits that a landslide at a coal mine has buried a school at Aberfan. William volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer and one he will never forget.

'William is here now because he has a skill that nobody wants to need. But they do, and he will provide it.'

'His breath catches as he inhales, his throat suddenly too big. He lifts the shirt aloft and calls on every bit of voice control he's ever learned.'

"Whose little boy went to school —"

"Owen!"

'There is a low thump and crack as the woman's knees hit the pavement.'

A Terrible Kindness begins and ends with Aberfan but it is also a book about love, family, friendship and singing. It is about making mistakes, losing your way and finding your way back.

Gentle yet powerful, original and moving, this was a lovely read. 

Left on a planter outside of Vicars Cross Community Centre.

Excellent read although with some difficult subjects. Left at Chester Station.

A very sombre but wonderful read.