chalk stream books

It is 1937.

The son of a Northumberland coal miner, young Benjamin Hardy must follow his father underground to earn his keep. But he hates the work and is desperate to do better for himself to win the heart of April, the love of his young life.

When war threatens, Ben grabs the opportunity to join an expanding RAF. He trains as an engine mechanic, then volunteers for aircrew duties and distinguishes himself flying the Avro Manchesters and Lancasters of RAF Bomber Command.

Ben’s wartime bravery might win April’s admiration, but it is too late and he loses her. Despondent, he moves south and builds a successful professional life testing the RAF’s new aircraft at a secret experimental airbase.

But he never marries and the flame he carries for April never dies. Years later, facing a lonely retirement, he decides that he must see her again. He cannot know if she is free or feels about him as he still does for her, but he owes it to himself to find out...