When Tom Barclay returns to the Industrial West Riding of Yorkshire, England shortly after the end of World War II he finds his relationship with his daughter drastically affected. He's served five and a half years abroad in the Army. She was eight when he left and fourteen when he returned.

Jonquil Barclay chooses a nursing career against her father's wishes and enters Prelimanary Training School at the local Royal Infirmary in November 1949.

Strict imposed and self-discipline is required from day one.

Serious illness, death, drudgery, extreme emotions and the traumas of patients...

Take a trip down memory lane and find the pleasures of Christmases past. Envelop yourself in the joys of family love, the happiness, hopes and dreams come true. Remember the days when a week to go to Christmas seemed an eternity and sleep refused to come on December 24th because your tummy was all knotted inside. If all these things make you stop and wonder 'Whatever happened to Christmas?' then these sixteen delightfully readable short stories are for you. Or, maybe to stuff in the stocking of someone you love!