Palace of tears - Anna King

The Fords have two young children - Emily and Lenny who is mentally retarded. Emily works as a valued servant for the well-off Winter household during World War One, but returns home for a holiday while her employers are away. Her father beats her mother up quite regularly and lands her in hospital. Emily and her friend Doris, a munitions worker, have a double date with two local brothers, Tommy and Andrew, who are about to be sent to the Western Front. Emily becomes pregnant by one, despite being in love with the Michael, the son of her employer. Emily has her baby, however her love for Michael is tested when a scheming neighbour tries to interfere by turning his parents against Emily ..