The End of the Line - Shirley Hughes

Set in Australia in the 1960s, this is a beautifully written and poignant story of TC, an innocent teenager who decides to take up a job offer in the remote country Queensland town of Brolga, never realising that she would never leave, as her life took so many twists and turns which made it impossible to do so.

The story is an emotional rollercoaster and provides moments of tender love, laughter, friendship, crime, drama, infidelity, alcoholism and most of all loneliness; experiences shown through the eyes of TC as she grows up and survives this unfamiliar environment, taking her from innocent dependence to independent survival, while never sacrificing her highest standards of integrity and fidelity. What more could one complicate this young girl's life with; but just how complicated it becomes unravels as the story goes on to the major part she plays when her employer decides to enter the world of opal mining and draws her into helping him make his fortune and fame.

Read the sequel New Horizons to find out how you will continue to laugh and cry with her as her life unfolds before your eyes.