Pierce and Sadie realised she’d need help, so Margot drafted in her daughter, Yvette, and a long-standing friend. And what a team they made. Margot prepared the menus and oversaw dinner in the evening. Her demonstrations turned into more of a hands-on class, with people invited to work alongside her. It became a firm favourite with the visitors and eventually a new, bespoke facility was built. Le Havre de Cuisine was born and throughout the year, places were offered for Margot Bressan’s five-day culinary courses.

Margot was delighted with her enhanced role and, before long, the new kitchen was also producing a range of The Haven’s own jams and sauces. A little industrie artisanale had been born.

Hannah and Owen

Hannah went on to have four children within a period of six years.

Eventually, once the children were all at school, she trained as a teaching assistant and her home and working life revolved entirely around kids. She’d found her calling.

Owen’s army career ended up spanning twenty years and he rose to become a Warrant Officer Class 2, responsible for the training, welfare and discipline of a company of more than a hundred men.

When he left the army, he took a year off to go backpacking around the world and Fern feared he was going through a mid-life crisis. However, he ended up meeting his future partner, the woman he married in Las Vegas only six months later. Returning home for good, he and his wife set up an outdoor activity centre in the Forest of Dean. From paintballing to archery, the business grew and Fern was relieved that at last her brother was finally settled and had found his soulmate.

Every year at Christmas when The Haven was closed, Fern’s family hired a minibus and Owen drove them to Provence. It was bedlam, but it reminded them all that there’s nothing so comforting as having family around you. It was the highlight of the year for each and every one of them.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a family. That’s the way life is and sometimes the family you have isn’t the family you need. But everywhere around the world, groups of people, as with those at The Haven, are drawn together by an invisible, cosmic design. All with a common cause, need, or altruistic goal. And that’s a very powerful thing.

When we stand alone, we are an island;

when we join together, we become a force.

Acknowledgments

It’s time to give a shout out to my amazing editor, Sarah Ritherdon, who is a real pleasure to work with and a tremendous support. You are an inspiration, lady!

And to the wider Boldwood team – a wonderful group of inspiring women I can’t thank enough for their amazing support and encouragement.

A hug to my wonderful agent, Sara Keane, for being there for me every step of the way on this exciting journey.