The Apple Barrel: Susan Sallis

When faced with betrayal, can you find peace?

Hope and Jack Langley's marriage gets off to a promising start: they spend their honeymoon in a primitive Cornish cottage called Widdershins and Hope falls in love with the place on sight - even though half of it has fallen down, water has to be pumped by hand and there are no sea views.

Soon after they return home to begin married life in a small village outside Gloucester, Hope discovers she is pregnant. And, almost simultaneously, the glamorous Petersens, Henrik and Mandy, move in as new neighbours. Local rumour about the couple is rife: they are rich, they are Norwegian, they aren't married, they give crazy parties. To Hope and Jack, they seem reassuringly normal and kind and soon the two couples became close.

With the birth of their second daughter, the Langleys' happiness seems complete. But appearances can be deceptive.

The challenges that eventually confront Hope are almost overwhelming, and the only place that offers refuge and peace is her beloved Widdershins.