Hilda Annersley: Headmistress
Synopsis
The book opens with Miss Annersley slowly recovering consciousness after her serious road accident. The first part of the book is set in the hospital where she was taken following the accident, and introduces her nurse, Jan Wetherall. When she is discharged from the hospital she goes to live at the home of her distant cousin. Jan Wetherall goes with her as her nurse. Miss Annersley and Jan go out in Miss Annersley's car and their first expedition results in an adventure that both would have preferred to miss.
Six months after the accident she is still suffering from the after-effects, and becomes angry and frustrated at her lack of progress. At the end of term Miss Annersley is able to attend the Christmas Play, but finds that she is so exhausted that it is clear that she will not be ready to return to work next term. January brings Miss Annersley official visitors from the War Office who are examining known incidents of war crimes. They ask her about her experiences in Austria at the time of the Anschluss. A flash-back reveals what happened at that time.
Miss Annersley receives a letter from her brother John telling her that his wife had died and asking her to attend the reading of her Will. She finds that she has been asked to help her niece decide her future. A telegram arrives for her cousin Helen Randolph, telling her that her husband has been seriously wounded. The two women travel to the school which Helen's daughter attends to collect her. The book ends with Miss Annersley's return to the school, and the decision that rather than resume overall control, she will share the Headship with Miss Wilson.
contributed by Pat Willmot, England __ working from the paperback edition
If you want to find out more, click on Spoilers
As the link suggests, it gives more of the story - without, of course, giving everything away!