Water Gypsy

When Tilly Thompson, a girl from the canal, is caught stealing a pie from the terrace of The Imperial Hotel, Athelstone, the intervention of Captain Charles Thackery saves her from prison. Tilly soon finds out the real reason for the rescue. With the captain, Tilly sees life away from the poverty and hardships of the waterways, but his favor stirs up jealousy and hatred among the hotel staff, especially Freddie, the stable boy who harbors desires of his own.

Life on the river has never been easy for Tilly and Sam, but they've built a home filled with love. Joey, Tilly's eldest son, has straddled two worlds - cherished as her child but granted privileges, denied to her other children, through his wealthy birth father's family. It's a fine balance that has always held . . . until an incident at a glittering Celebration Ball shatters the fragile harmony. Tilly fears the consequences, especially when her headstrong daughter Martha is involved. How will Martha cope when she meets Joey's entitled friends and their easy lives?

When Tilly's brother, Tom, who she hasn't seen for 20 years, turns up on her doorstep she knows trouble will not be far behind. Tom's search for the truth brings heartache and changes their lives forever. Old wounds reopen, relationships fracture, loyalties fray and no one escapes the consequences. Tensions rise when disaster strikes and Tilly finds herself torn between fighting for Tom while supporting her headstrong daughter, Martha, whose world is falling apart.