A City Schoolgirl and Her Friends

In a modest Scottish town, Stella Wharton faces the sudden loss of her family's security. With only a modest income and cherished heirlooms to cling to, she must decide whether to send her younger sister Vava away as a pupil‑teacher or strike out on her own. Determined and resourceful, Stella draws on her experience as her late father's secretary, dreaming of a new life in bustling London despite the lawyer’s doubts.

The novel follows Stella as she navigates the expectations placed on young women of her era, forming bonds with classmates and confronting the realities of city life. Through lively dialogue and vivid scenes, listeners will experience her courage, the humor of schoolyard friendships, and the quiet strength that drives her forward. It’s a heartfelt portrait of sisterly devotion and the early steps toward independence, set against the backdrop of early‑20th‑century society.