The Foreign Field — Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

1917: The Great War enters its third year. For families everywhere, war has become a way of life: and for none more than the Morlands.

The last son at home, Robbie, is called up. Patriarch Teddy is glad to welcome Helen, coming 'home' to Morland Place to have her baby, and invites the local battalion to set up camp on his land, ensuring there will always be plenty of khaki around to amuse his lively daughter Polly. In London, Violet is cheered by the arrival of cousin Emma, looking for adventure and hoping for love. The indomitable Venetia is busier than ever as a new bill offers real hope of votes for women. But in France the offensive founders in the mud and Bertie, Jack, Oliver and Jessie all in their own ways experience the hell that is Passchendaele.

In these desperate times, the Morlands find courage in the brief moments of sunshine between the clouds gathering over those foreign fields.