Island life is hard... leaving is harder.

In 1895, a Northumbrian island welcomes two new residents. Clara and Jimmy are born on the same night, to families poles apart. Clara is an islander through and through; content to live among the rhythms and barren beauty of Holy Island. Jimmy's future is set in stone; fishing with the father he despises on the family boat.

When tragedy forces them from their island and each other, they join the herring season in a bid to survive.

Jimmy strikes out for Seahouses, where he joins a Scots herring crew. From Seahouses he can still see the island, his father too close for comfort. The crew’s departure for Lowestoft brings welcome relief.

Clara is sent to North Shields, to live with her wealthy, estranged grandparents. A chance encounter with a group of herring girls offers her an escape from the grief filled luxury of her grandparents' home.

1913 is a record-breaking year, but as Clara and Jimmy chase shoals of silver darlings to Lowestoft, their paths are dogged by war, injury and misunderstandings. Set adrift from all they know; will they ever find each other? And will they ever find their way home?

Poppy Royana

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