A story of friendship, possibilities and hope that maybe tomorrow will be brighter than today . . .

Jamie Matson had once enjoyed a wonderful life working alongside her best friend, organising adventures for single-parent families, and her son Bo’s artistic flair a source of pride rather than concern.

She hadn’t been prepared to lose her business, her home and her friend. Not all in one dreadful year.

Jamie certainly hadn’t expected to find such hope and camaraderie in the queue at her local food bank. Thrown together with an unlikely and colourful group of people, their friendships flourish and, finding it easier to be objective about each other than about themselves, they decide that – when you’re all out of options – it’s okay to bend the rules a little and create your own.

What a difference a year could make . . .

‘Tender and at times shocking, this shows what can be done to change things when people unite’ Katie Fforde

‘Penny captures the zeitgeist of austerity with the lightest of touches and her trademark wit and wisdom. Her characters tackle difficult and gritty problems like exploitative landlords, special needs and food banks with courage and determination in a story of hope, resilience and optimism. A tale of our times about the importance of friendship and never giving up. Meaningful and heartfelt’ Veronica Henry