Janie Steps In
Synopsis
After her mother is killed in a horrific car accident, and her father seriously injured, Nan Blakeney is sent to stay with her cousin Rosamund Willoughby. After 6 months it is apparent the Nan is no better than when she arrived and Rosamund decides to send her to her friend Janie Lucy in Guernsey, who she believes will be able to help Nan in a way that she is unable to do. Nan is reluctant to leave Rosamund seeing in her a resemblance to her mother, but is eventually persuaded.
Janie and her family welcome Nan with open arms. She also meets the Ozannes, the family of Janie's sister Elizabeth, and Janie's brother-in-law Peter Chester. Janie has a letter from her sister Anne Chester announcing that she is returning from her holiday.
She and Nan go to Anne's home, Pierres Gris, to make sure that it is ready for their return, and while they are there Janie reveals how Anne and Peter had lost all their money through no fault of their own. She explains that while the Ozannes educate Paul and the Lucy's educate Nancy, the Chesters are too proud to allow anyone to pay for Beth's education. Because of this, and the demands invalid Barbara puts on her mother, Beth feels second best and unloved.
Following Anne's return Anne, Elizabeth, Janie, Nan and the children arrange a picnic at La Rochelle. In conversation with Beth, Nan realises that Janie's worries about Beth are valid. At the picnic Nan meets David Willoughby, a brother of her cousin Con's husband, and David is very taken with her.
contributed by Susan Vass, Scotland __ working from a hardback edition
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