Look within your Heart (by Margaret Graham)

I had not heard of Margaret Graham, but her book was another that looked interesting in a second-hand shop.

The novel opens as Belle and her daughter Connie await Walter's return from the war. When he finally arrives, he is changed beyond recognition, after some very harrowing experiences. Moreover, he is plagued with guilt that he survived, when so many didn't.

Walter takes the family to Newcastle to establish a shelter for ex-armymen, and also takes Binnie, an unmarried mother, with her daughter Dora.

As Connie grows up, she feels constantly haunted by Dora, and eventually escapes abroad.

It's a reasonably happy ending, and I found the book quite moving in places, although I doubt if I'll re-read it.