Going Home To Liverpool Hardback: Piatkus 1995 Paperback: Bantam 1996 Large Print: Magna 1996 Audio: Magna C) June Francis 1995 Elizabeth Knight is surprised to receive a visitor at her quiet convent school in Essex, and outraged when the bold and brassy young woman introduces herself as Phyllis Knight, her new stepmother. But the girl's initial anger disolves in the face of Phyl's kindness when disaster strikes and Elizabeth is orphaned but for her stepmother, who is her senior by only ten years. Since there is not enough money for them to continue living in the south, Phyl suggests they go north to live with her parents in the large and boisterous Eccles household in Liverpool. Crowded into an old terraced house, vying for attention with Phyl's three sisters, two brothers and eccentric old grandma, Elizabeth must rapidly adapt to her new life. Rechristened Lizzie by the family, she survives her first term in a tough local school thanks to the championing of Phyl's brother Billy, but her real comfort and salvation is the support she receives from Alex Payne, an old flame of Phyl's. With the good looks of a cinema heart-throb - and a sensitivity she has not previously encountered in a man - Alex makes an indelible impression on Lizzie. So she is not sure whether to be glad or sorry when Phyl hints he may shortly become her new 'father'. And Lizzie has to question just where her future lies... in the North or in the South? Moving, powerful and atmospheric, Going Home To Liverpool captures the feel of Liverpool and the warmth and humanity of the people who live there. Back to Books2 Back to Main Page