Safety First — Josephine Bell

In these four stories, Josephine Bell traces the consequences of too great an adherence to the slogan 'Safety First': on Muriel and Arthur, who go to Cornwall on holiday with their sons Ronald and Barry; on Jim, who takes his yacht Seaspray on a cruise while his wife Evie is expecting their longed-for child; on the local and county society who try to obtain a Birthday Honour for Winifred Batten; and on Sam and Marie-Claire Chilwood whose marriage had been so good until the War.

With characters set firmly into the background of everyday contemporary life, these stories displays a sure knowledge of the complacency, muddled motives and timidity which guide most people in their search for security.