The Camomile Lawn (by Mary Wesley)

(Amazon UK link)

'The Camomile Lawn' is a novel by Mary Wesley, set in the first part of the 20th century.

A group of cousins have a holiday together every year, with their aunt and uncle, by some cliffs in Cornwall. The book opens on their last such holiday before the war starts. We quickly learn about their hopes and fears.

They mostly move to London, and their lives remain entangled as they discover the reality of war and adult relationships. The book is cleverly interspersed with 'flash-forwards' of various groups on their way to a funeral. We don't learn until late in the book whose funeral it is, however.

The book ends in a satisfying way with all the ends tied together.

Recommended, in a low-key way.