Winner, People’s Choice Award, Queensland Literary Awards

‘A bittersweet, touching novel that ends with an uplifting element of hope.’ – Monique Mulligan

It’s 1925 and fifteen-year-old Catherine Quick longs to swim once more in the warm waters of her tropical island home. But in London, where she now lives with her aunt Louisa, Catherine feels that everything she values has been stripped away.

Louisa, a busy, confident London surgeon, holds definite views on the behaviour of her young niece, but since Catherine’s arrival Louisa’s every step seems to be wrong. Louisa is troubled by painful memories from her past.

It takes the influence of enigmatic American banker to convince Louisa to come to New York to join the first women in the world to swim the English Channel. It is here, unexpectedly, that Louisa can finally listen to what her own heart tells her.

‘Captivating, highly recommended’ – The Age

‘MacColl succeeds in bringing all the various places to life … A highly engaging read.’ – Historical Novel Society