At the Captain's TableSail away with the delightful new novel from Gervase Phinn bestselling author of The School at the Top of the Dale A summer cruise should be just the ticket for a few weeks of luxury and relaxation but for the passengers and crew of the Empress of the Ocean the sights of the Mediterranean are nothing compared to the excitement on board For bickering couple Albert and Maureen the trip might prove a much needed escape or the final straw. Elegant Frances

Penelope Lively

You pass it down like wisdom or a good heart or the colour of your eyes

and a pillar of the constitution

and of a young man coming of age in a country on fire

FROM THE DESK OF DR TURNER: Author and actor Stephen McCann has played beloved Dr Patrick Turner on all ten seasons of Call the Midwife and offers an insiders' perspective and unprecedented access to the cast and creators

This year their focus is Beverly oldest of the Drummond Girls at 65 whose memory is beginning to lapse

and eventually liberate the whole of continental South America

put the kettle on

Annie needs to lose her virginity so she's waiting in a car park for Paul

Falsely accused of sabotage by her rival

the Scrutator Xervish Flydd

wise and all too worldly