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Help me find this book!

7 replies

LitteBigMeltdown · 13/01/2025 12:40

Years ago I stayed at my Nan's house for the week and had completely forgotten a book to read at bed time. She was always an avid reader and had an amazing collection of books in a little reading room under the stairs. I remember moaning that I didn't want to go to bed because I didn't have anything to read so she let me pick one of hers and for the last 15ish years on and off I've been trying to find that book but no luck yet.

Problem is there's only a tiny bit I remember... There was youngish girl maybe preteen or a little older who lived in East London and was brought to what I'm assuming was a brothel. I think one of her family members was either the madame or knew her. I think her dad was an alcoholic. It was set around wartime.

I only read a little bit and then once I realised what was going on I put it back utterly mortified that I'd picked such a book and then spent the rest of the time pretending I was far too tired to read in bed. I was at the library at the weekend and it got me thinking about it again. Please can someone put me out of my misery!!!

OP posts:
Tiredforfive45 · 13/01/2025 12:48

The crimson petal and the white? Although it is Victorian rather than wartime.

doodlyfiddly · 13/01/2025 12:51

It could be Goodnight Lady by Martina Cole. I haven't read it for years (it's a pretty tough read) but fits with most of what you mention, except being set in wartime I think.

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 13/01/2025 13:14

Sounds like Belle by Lesley Pearse?!

LitteBigMeltdown · 13/01/2025 18:56

doodlyfiddly · 13/01/2025 12:51

It could be Goodnight Lady by Martina Cole. I haven't read it for years (it's a pretty tough read) but fits with most of what you mention, except being set in wartime I think.

Thank you thank you thank you!!! Just read the blurb and that's it!

OP posts:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 13/01/2025 19:03

Glad you found it, although I thought it sounded similar to
'Five go to Amsterdam with Uncle Quentin'

LitteBigMeltdown · 13/01/2025 20:16

As soon as I read the characters name I knew it was right. Crazy how a memory could jump out like that. I have no idea why I thought war time although when I was younger I guess the 60s seemed an age ago.

OP posts:
doodlyfiddly · 13/01/2025 20:49

Yay! So glad to hear you will finally have the chance to read it properly. Hope you enjoy it.

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