It’s just after lunch and I’m in the back yard of Garfield’s Village store in Melton Winchet and I’ve just spotted Jo Brogan, the person I’m waiting to see, walk out the back door.
Me: “Hi, Jo, I wonder if I could have a quick words with you?’
Jo: ‘Sure, but I can’t be too long as that old battleaxe Mrs Garfield will be after me for dawdling.’
Me: You’re from London originally aren’t you?’
Jo: ‘I am, East London down by the docks in Wapping but I suppose you can tell that from the accent.’
Me: Well I can hear a bit of a cockney twange although with a name like Brogan I thought you might be Irish.’
Jo: ‘My gran is, she came over to England when she was carrying me dad.’
Me: ‘So if you’re from Wapping what are you doing in the wilds of Essex working in the village shop?’
Jo: ‘I’ve been evacuated with my ten year old brother Billy
Me: aren’t you a bit old for that?
Jo: ‘That’s what I told mum but she said she needed me to look after Billy but the real reason she packed me off to the country is because my interfering sister Mattie told her about me and Tommy.’
Me: Tommy who?
Jo: Tommy Sweete.
Me: ‘Not Reggie Sweete’s brother!’
Jo: ‘Yes. And I know Reggie’s a wrong’un and even though he’s done a stint in borstal, Tommy’s not like his brother at all.’
Me: ‘But even so…’
Jo: ‘I don’t care I love Tommy and he loves me. Since I’ve been away he’s written me such lovely letter almost every day.’
Me: ‘Did you get one this morning?’
Jo: ‘Actually, I haven’t had one for a couple of weeks but I’m not worried. There’s a war on, you know, so his letters could have be destroyed a sorting office fire or the mail train could have been bombed but I’m sure I’ll get another one any day now and as soon as I can figure out a way of getting home I’ll prove to everyone what a grand chap Tommy Sweete really is. I’d better go. I’ve got a ton of deliveries this afternoon and I need to get back before Billy gets home from school to stop old Nutty Beech the local copper, will be picking on him ’
Me: ‘By, Jo, have a nice afternoon and I hope you hear from Tommy very soon.’
Jo: ‘I’d better or I’ll be knocking on his door demanding to know why?’
Ration Book Christmas. In the darkest days of the Blitz, Christmas is more important than ever.
With Christmas 1940 approaching, the Brogan family of London’s East End are braving the horrors of the Blitz. With the men away fighting for King and Country and the ever-present dangers of the German Luftwaffe’s nightly reign of death and destruction, the family must do all they can to keep a stiff upper lip.
For Jo, the youngest of the Brogan sisters, the perils of war also offer a new-found freedom. Jo falls in love with Tommy, a man known for his dangerous reputation as much as his charm. But as the falling bombs devastate their neighbourhood and rationing begins to bite, will the Brogans manage to pull together a traditional family Christmas? And will Jo find the love and security she seeks in a time of such grave peril?
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44 Responses to Interview with Jo Brogan; heroine of A Ration Book Christmas
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Jo is in Melton Witchet
Would just love to read this book , Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet, Essex, England.
Melton Winchet
Melton Winchet.
Melton Winchet, Essex
Can’t wait to read it!
I can’t wait to read this. Melton Winchet is where Jo has been evacuated to.
🙂
This is a great idea Jean. My book has arrived and I look forward to learning more about your heroine. Good luck everyone and thanks Jean. Good luck with the book too.xx
Jo was evacuated to the wilds of Essex, Melton Winchet.
Apologies if I end up posting twice. My first comment nearly an hour ago hasn’t appeared.
No was evacuated to Melton wilchet in Essex. Can’t wait to read this sequel. Thanks Jean
The Wilds Of Essex
The wilds of Essex!
What a great idea Jean, I love the old photo’s. My copy has arrived and I’m looking forward to reading it and learning more about your heroine.. Good luck everyone and thanks Jean.
Jo was evacuated to the wilds of Essex! Melton Winchet
Melton Winchet, Essex A fabulous book jean i loved reading it 🙂 🙂
Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet in the wilds of Essex.
Melton Winchet in the wilds of Essex.
Absolutely can’t wait to read this book.
Melton Wilchet in the wilds of Essex.
I absolutely can’t wait to read this
Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet in Essex. Fingers crossed for a win.
Jo and her brother were evacuated to Melton Winchet.
I would love to win this please I have read a small bit on Amazon and am hooked.
Thank you
Melton Winchet
Evacuated to Melton Winchet
Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet in Essex
Can’t wait to read this book!
Jo was evacuated with her brother Billy to Melton Wilchet Essex
Looking forward to reading this.
The lovely Jo is evacuated to Melton Wilchet, in Essex. Looking forward to reading this soon. Haven’t read one since the Nurse Connie books, which I loved x
Milton Winchet in Essex.
Milton Winchet in Essex.
Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet in Essex
Can’t wait to read this
Melton Winchet , Essex. I’m really looking forward to this book xx
Melton Winchett in Essex.
Jo was evacuated to Melton Winchet, Essex.
Looks like it’s gonna be a fab read. X
Jo was evacuated to Melton Wilchet, Essex .
Melton Wilchet is we’re Jo was evacuated to.
Essex
Jo was evacuated to Melton Wilchett in Essex
Melton Winchet. I’m originally from the east end down by the docks so i’m really looking forward to reading this.
She was evacuated to Melton Winchet in Essex and I moved from the dock area in the east end of London to Essex.
Hi, Cathy, I’m sure you’ll love reading about the Brogans and all the old East End places.
Melton Winchet in Essex .
Can’t wait to read the book. Lived in Shadwell now in Essex but still up at St Georges every Sunday.
Such a great read. Jo was sent to Melton Wilchet in Essex.
Winchet lol
The wilds of Essex
The Wilds of Essex
Jo has been evacuated to Melton Winchet, Essex
Thanks, Emily, you’re in the hat.
Thanks Beverly. XX
brilliant Jean this book is could read over and over and still enjoy it
Melton wilchet Essex is also where jo was evacuated