The idea for White Christmas came from watching a programme following the lives of Jewish refugees entering Britain in 1938. I was fascinated but also horrified by the plight of these poor children and I wanted to learn more about their lives. So I started my research and that’s when I came across the Kindertransport and Sir Nicholas Winton. What a truly amazing man he was. He saved hundreds of children and I got to read many accounts written by the children who boarded that train. Hearing their stories was hard at times, but it also showed a ray of hope.

The story starts with Rozalin Sachs, as she and her parents attempt to flee Frankfurt for a new life in Liverpool. All seems to be going well until a tragic accident turns their plans upside down.

Roz wakes up alone and frightened on a train filled with gabbling children. Eager to find her parents she is horrified when two Nazi soldiers enter her carriage and start questioning her. Unable to answer them, she fears the worse until the young, handsome boy opposite her speaks up on her behalf. When the soldiers leave Felix – the boy who came to her rescue – explains that she is on board the Kindertransport.

A friendship is quickly born between the two and they agree to stay together in their quest to find Roz’s parents. Once in England, they are taken to the Dovercourt holiday camp where they wait to be fostered. Roz is the first to be chosen by the Haggarty’s, a wealthy family who live in an affluent area of Liverpool. Roz gives Felix her new address and the two promise to keep in touch. It’s only when Roz reaches her new home – a loft space above a coal merchants – that she realises the Haggarty’s have been lying and their intentions are to keep Roz as a slave.

With no money or means of contacting Felix, Roz’s future looks bleak, until a chance encounter gives her a good friend in Mabel Johnson. It’s this very meeting that ends up reuniting Roz and Felix! Relieved to have her dearest friend back, Roz starts to believe that life can only get better. But in 1940, when Felix turns eighteen, he is interned as an enemy alien.

Roz is devastated, but rather than sit and dwell, she and Mabel decide to join the Land Army…

From here on, my lips are sealed!

I loved writing this book and I developed a strong affinity with Roz, and Felix. There’s something very special about these characters. So much so, I have left the ending open, so that I might visit them again in future books!

Much love Holly Flynn xxx

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