The Penny Bangle

By Margaret James

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It is 1942 and a nineteen-year-old munitions worker, Cassie Taylor leaves Birmingham to become a land girl in Dorset. When she arrives at the Denham family’s farm she meets army officer twins, Robert and Stephen Denham who are convalescing at home after being wounded at Dunkirk. At first she is drawn to lively Stephen but then she falls deeply in love with his brother. When Robert returns to active service, Cassie joins the ATS and meets up with him again in Alexandria where Robert asks her to marry him. However, when Robert is reported missing in action Cassie finds Stephen hoping to take his place.

This is a lovely story, and Cassie is a spirited heroine. The love triangle that ensues creates a dilemma that makes you wonder how it will turn out in the end. Being in love with twins may be a familiar tale that has been played out before, but Margaret James’s story holds your interest up until the last page. Good characterisation and a strong story line make for interesting reading.