When I First Held You

In 1960s Glasgow, anti-nuclear activists Judith and Jimmy fall in love, but their protestors squat is raided, and Jimmy is sent to prison. Pregnant and with no word from Jimmy, Judith is forced to give up their baby and learn to live with her grief. More than half a century later, Judith's Mending Shop restores broken treasures, and Jimmy reappears, yearning to unpick the painful past. Realizing they each know only half of the other's story, Jimmy and Judith break the silence that tore apart what might have been their family.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: Amazon Publishing

In the heart of 1960s Glasgow, a tale of love, loss, and the power of truth unfolds. Judith and Jimmy, two passionate anti-nuclear activists, find solace in each other's arms, their shared passion for a peaceful world igniting a flame that cannot be extinguished. However, their dreams are shattered when their protestors' squat is raided, resulting in the arrest of Jimmy and the loss of their unborn child. Devastated and alone, Judith is forced to enter an unmarried mothers' home, where she must give up her baby and confront the harsh reality of her newfound solitude.

Over half a century later, Judith's Mending Shop emerges as a beacon of hope, restoring broken treasures and mending the hearts of those who seek solace in its embrace. But the tranquility of her life is shattered when Jimmy, the man who once held her heart, reappears. Different yet eerily familiar, Jimmy longs to unravel the painful past that has kept them apart for so long. Realizing that they each know only half of the other's story, Jimmy and Judith must confront the demons that have haunted them for decades and break the silence that tore them apart.

Amidst heartbreak and hope, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, peeling back the layers of their past and confronting the truth that has been hidden for far too long. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their relationship, they discover that sometimes, the greatest healing comes from embracing the painful memories and learning to forgive.

In the end, Jimmy and Judith's story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. Through their journey of mending and forgiveness, they rediscover the essence of their family and the possibility of a future filled with hope and possibility.

Weight: 278g
Dimension: 128 x 199 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781662503863