The Wild — Esther Freud

It is the 70's. In an old bakery converted into a home, two single-parent families have come together under one roof. For nine-year-old Tess it is a new start and she sees in William -- the tall, blond guitar-playing father of three -- both the father she craves and a lover for her mother, Francine. Her brother Jake, however, feels nothing for William but contempt.

When Francine becomes involved with William, Tess -- eager to share in their love -- tries to please the adults as well as win Jake round. But Tess soon finds that good intentions don't always bring happiness and that adults are sometimes capable of making mistakes...