Yours Cheerfully by A J Pearce, Picador

Storytime

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It’s 1941 and war is in full throttle. Henrietta Bird, the formidable address (and agony aunt) of Woman’s Friend magazine has left, replaced by Mr. Collins. Emmy has been working as a junior, opening readers’ letters, whilst also doing her voluntary Fire Service telephonist job. Collins plucks proud production editor Mrs. Mahoney, mother of four, as the new agony aunt. Emmy can jot down her advice and write the column called Yours Cheerfully … Woman’s Friend is here to help. Mr. Collins shouts half a crown and the team celebrates with a round of buns. Rousing, nostalgic, but importantly a salute to women’s resilience in the toughest of times.