Tom and Flo were both casualties of war though only one of them was killed in action. Flo is a working class woman born during the ‘last hurrah’ of Queen Victoria’s golden reign. After the Great War she marries and gives birth to Tom. But her husband is a drinker, a gambler and a waster: when he can’t pay his debts he scarpers.
Flo works hard to support herself and young Tom as a lone parent long before the days of Income Support, Child Benefit and food banks. But it’s a struggle - in the course of which she becomes excessively devoted to her son. There is nobody else in her life, she has no other interests. He has become her obsession.
War comes again and in 1944 Tom is killed in action. Flo is devastated beyond belief but she keeps going. Just. But she will never come to terms with her loss – she will not let him die
After the War, Flo visits a psychic where she appears to make contact with Tom. This is the first of many paranormal encounters that convince her that Tom is taking care of her in ways unseen.
There are hidden fragments of Tom’s life Flo only discovers years after his death. In 1936 whilst at Scout Camp he became infatuated with a Guide called Kate - but she was way out of his league and he mistakenly believed she jilted him. Six years later in 1942 Tom and Kate meet again by chance in wartime London and embark on an impetuous romance played out against a background of the West End’s plush Astoria Dance Salon, sham Champagne, haunting dance band music – and the (then) art-deco splendour of the Strand Palace Hotel.
But Kate is not the only woman in Tom’s life. There is also Vera with the long blond hair and the eyes of blue. Tom goes to his death without knowing she is carrying his twin sons.
In 1975 the now middle-aged Kate arranges a grand wedding for her only daughter. During the reception she makes a stunning discovery about Tom – the only man she ever really cared for.
After more than 30 years, Tom has reconnected with the women he loved through their children.
Ten years later Flo’s life comes full term – at last she is dramatically reunited with her beloved son. Or is it just Flo’s last dream?
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