Welsh Weekend: Pattern of Shadows by Judith Barrow

Mary is a nursing sister at Lancashire prison camp for the housing and treatment of German POWs. Life at work is difficult but fulfilling, life at home a constant round of arguments, until Frank Shuttleworth, a guard at the camp turns up. Frank is difficult to love but persistent and won't leave until Mary agrees to walk out with him.

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Mary is a nurse, she works in a POW camp where German doctors are treating the patients. Mary loves her work and it's everything to her. She's also the one who keeps her family going. Her father is aggressive and the situation at home is tense. When she meets Frank she isn't interested in going out with him. He's persistent though, but after a few dates Mary doesn't want to see him any longer. Unfortunately he doesn't take no for an answer...

When a new German doctor arrives the always sensible Mary likes him a bit too much, but she could be punished for fraternizing if they'd be open about it. Mary tries to hide her feelings for Peter, but Frank knows and he's making things difficult for her. Mary also worries about her brother who's a pacifist. He's in prison and there he's met his soul mate. Slowly the situation with her family is getting worse and Mary wants nothing more than to escape it all.

Pattern of Shadows is a beautiful story set in the time of the Second World War. Mary is a strong woman, but there's only so much one person can take. She's a fabulous main character. There are so many family issues she has to solve and she tries the best she can. Even though they don't treat her very well she's there whenever they need her. I kept hoping Mary would find her happiness at some point. I liked following her and reading about her life. Judith Barrow has written a really great story about a wonderful woman.