The Polish Connection — Vivienne Dockerty

The year is 1993, four years since the end of Communist rule in Poland. Five students come to a language school in Bolton in order to improve their English. They are all from different backgrounds, but are of the same opinion that Dorothy, their tutor, isn't up to the job. Dorothy Greaves is dominant, bombastic and insensitive and keeps her passive, amiable husband, Derek, on a short string. The elder of the students is Monika, aged 23 and studying English Philology at Warsaw University. Brought up in a state orphanage, her life is emotionally complicated, especially after the appearance of a father. Kuba is the youngest at seventeen. His head is full of music all the time. Kasia is from a patriotic Polish family who has issues with a capitalistic world. Tomasz from a privileged background is a handsome ladies man. That just leaves Alicja, the mouse of the group, a needy person who doesn't make friends easily. The story tells of friendships made, while enduring three weeks of Dorothy's regime. There are flashbacks to the couple's experiences in Poland and an insight into the students' way of life.