From the bestselling author of The Best Exotic Marigold HotelAt school they called her Porky on account of the pigs her family kept outside their bungalow near Heathrow. But she felt no different - not until she realised she was losing her innocence in a way that none of her friends could possibly imagine. Only a child robbed of her childhood can know too late what it means to be loved too little and loved too much.

CLOSE RELATIONS is one of the funniest and truest novels about modern family life you'll ever read. Gordon Hammond, sixty-five, a builder who has built up his own, modestly successful business, has a heart attack. Whilst recovering in hospital he falls in love with April, a young black nurse, and leaves Dorothy, his wife of 45 years to set up home with her. Dorothy is released like a loose cannon into the lives of her three daughters and chaos ensues. More relationships break up, passions run high and dramatic developments ensue that will change the Hammond family forever.

Life has smiled on Viv - chaotic, pretty, charismatic, radical, she has always been one for bold moves. Her sister Ann is less fortunate - sober predictable, now unable to have children, she has always trailed in Viv's shadow. Then Viv decides to give her sister the best present she can think of - a baby. And little thinks of the repercussions her magnanimity will bring. . . .