Philip Gillam

Shrewsbury Station Just After Six Philip Gillam

Happiness. What exactly is that? Most would settle for contentment. But, then again, the line between contentment and misery can sometimes be very fine indeed. At first glance, Alastair, his wife Penny, and their 23-year-old daughter Vicky, seem to be a happy, loving family. But Alastair is being tempted by a curvaceous work colleague ? Beth ? who won?t take ?no? for an answer. Meanwhile, Penny has her own secret frustrations. And young Vicky?s love life ? much to her annoyance ? appears to be going nowhere. Finding happiness is not always as easy as it seems. And just one moment in one particular place ? well, that?s all it takes sometimes to send people?s lives off in entirely different directions, changing everything forever. Things can suddenly come to a head ? anywhere, at any time ? like on Shrewsbury Station, just after six. In this gentle, atmospheric novel, the landscape between misery and joy ? a landscape known by each and every one of us ? is explored with tenderness and humour. Family dynamics and the ebb and flow of love are at the heart of the story, and the entire piece is set in and around the beautiful English town of Shrewsbury.