In the English village of Fairacre, the retired schoolteachers Dolly Clare and Emily Davis enjoyed a remarkable friendship, as this moving volume reveals. Childhood playmates in Beech Green, they would remain close throughout their long lives, eventually sharing a cottage in their retirement. They felt grief when a village family was lost on the Titanic. They each experienced young love and then heartbreak when the First World War interrupted both of their romances. The triumphs and tragedies of their days are depicted with all the humor, heartbreak, and human warmth for which Miss Read is known, providing a sensitive portrait of life in the country.

The retired English village schoolteacher recalls her long life which, for all its outward serenity, has much personal drama.

A violent October storm -- unexpected except by the weatherwise Mr. Willet -- strike the village of Fairacre. Trees and telephone poles are down, and the roof of St. Patrick’s Church has been badly damaged. The repair estimates are so high that its repair seems unlikely. That is, until Mr. Willet suggests a festival. Suddenly, Fairacre is bustling with whist drive, a food sale, a Christmas Bazaar, and finally, the festival itself. But Fairacre still has a long way to go. Will they be forced to sell the church’s treasured Queen Anne chalice? The denizens of Fairacre are undaunted and persevere despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

Two novels in the beloved Fairacre series, full of “delicious wit, quirky characters . . . and certainly love and laughter” (Jan Karon). In the English village of Fairacre, retired schoolteachers Dolly Clare and Emily Davis enjoyed a remarkable friendship. Childhood playmates in Beech Green, they would remain close throughout their long lives, eventually sharing a cottage in their retirement. They felt grief when a village family was lost on the Titanic and each experienced young love and then heartbreak when the First World War interrupted both of their romances. In this two-in-one volume, the triumphs and tragedies of their days are depicted with all the humor, humble tenacity, and human warmth for which Miss Read is known. “Miss Read’s Books . . . have deservedly received the highest praise from both English and American reviewers.” —The New York Times Book Review “Miss Read reminds us of what is really important. And if we can’t live in her world, it’s certainly a comforting place to visit.” —USA Today “[Read’s] heroes are the good, the uncomplicated, and those who do the unsung work of the world. It’s a warm, comfortable, part of the picture.” —Kirkus Reviews

Miss Read, the headmistress of Fairacre School, learns of a proposed new housing development that soon has the citizens of Fairacre up in arms.

London family, newly moved to a quiet country village, are accepted by the unfriendly townfolk only after a newborn baby boy arrives at Christmas.

The further escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger.