Heroes

Book excerpt: Seventeen-year-old singer Juliet Belford is irritated by her father's reticence regarding his service in the airforce during World War II, but with secrets of her own concerning an abusive stepfather, she tries to ignore it. However, her ignorance proves embarrassing during a weekend visit to a small western town for the dedication of a memorial to her father's former crewmate: she is told Martin Mansfield saved her father's life. Remembering how easily he let her mother go, she wonders if her father is perhaps a coward. During the weekend, Juliet worries that she might be replaced in the band and fights her attraction to the hero's son Christian, who is engaged to be married. She's also shocked by his mother's attempts to ensnare her father, Tony, while accusing her of flirting. In addition, there's the weird behaviour of Christian's grandfather to think about and she senses a mystery around the death of his wife, Mary. Can she solve it? And, if she does, will it somehow help Juliet find the courage to speak out about her stepfather?