Inspired by real events, Mary's Reflections tells the story of a very
strong woman who survives many hard knocks. Mary's life spans two world
wars as she goes from rags to riches.
This heartfelt novel follows Mary from her poor childhood to old age as
a wealthy woman. It portrays her life as a servant, her family dramas,
loves and losses, and war survival.
I was filled with apprehension. What had I done to be summoned to an
audience with the mistress? Would I be sacked? A hundred thoughts
entered my mind as I made my way to her sitting room and knocked on the
door.
"Come in," she called.
"Mary," she said as she came towards me, "your father has just been to
see the butler who has informed me that you are not to go home this
Sunday on your day off. Your little sister Bertha has been taken with
diphtheria. She went quite quickly in your mother's arms. I'm afraid,
with the exception of Frank, all your brothers and sisters have got
it."
(About the Author)
Winsome Mary Payter was born in Biggin Hill, Kent. At age eleven, her
family moved to Christchurch in Hampshire to escape the threat of
bombing by the Luftwaffe. Her dream job was being a tracer in the
drawing office at the Ministry of Defence, where her father was a
scientific officer in Great Malvern, Worcestershire. Her family later
moved to Loughborough, Leicestershire. She and her husband Stan have
three daughters and a son. An avid reader, the author composed her own
stories to tell her children. Once retired, she began her writing in
earnest, including romance novels, short stories, poetry, and prose.
