One Day In May

A Morning That Shook Avonbury

On a brisk spring morning in May, the genteel streets of Avonbury awaken to a flurry of unexpected news. In One Day in May, Catherine Alliott weaves a beguiling tale of ordinary lives upended by a single twist of fate. Bank manager Anna Carlisle arrives early to prepare for a routine day, only to discover her beloved aunt’s historic townhouse under threat from an enigmatic developer. Across town, fashion boutique owner Lily Harper practices for her grand window display, oblivious that the very same developer has designs on her cherished shop. As dawn sunlight filters through blooming hawthorn trees, two women’s worlds are destined to collide in a heart-stirring adventure.

Threads of Fate and Friendship

When Anna and Lily cross paths at the town hall meeting, sparks fly—both of indignation and unexpected camaraderie. Catherine Alliott’s sparkling prose captures the gradual blossoming of their bond: from sharp exchanges over legal statutes to shared laughter in a cozy café, where scones and Earl Grey prove far tastier than acrimonious debates. Together, they unearth long-buried family secrets hidden in Aunt Margaret’s antique dressing gown and sketchbooks tucked behind dusty volumes. As they follow a trail of cryptic letters and faded photographs, readers are drawn into a tapestry of small-town intrigue and the transformative power of friendship.

Decisions at the Golden Hour

As sunset gilds the rooftops, Anna and Lily face choices that will define their futures: to protect what they hold dear or to embrace the unknown promise of change. Against a backdrop of lantern-lit garden parties and clandestine meetings beneath the old mill bridge, alliances shift and hearts are laid bare. With its blend of gentle humor and poignant insight, One Day in May reminds us that sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with the simplest of mornings.

.Catherine Alliott is a bestselling British author celebrated for her warm-hearted novels of community, resilience, and the unexpected joys found in everyday life.