Cherry’s story appeared on the TV Show Long Lost Family, produced in the UK by Wall to Wall Media Ltd. This book does not reflect the views or opinions of either the makers of Long Lost Family or the broadcaster.
HarperElement
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First published by HarperElement 2015
SECOND EDITION
© Cherry Durbin 2015
A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library
Cover design by Micaela Alcaino © HarperCollinsPublishers 2018
Cover photographs © Rosmari Wirz/Getty Images (girl, posed by model); © Shutterstock.com (background)
Cherry Durbin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
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Source ISBN: 9780008133078
Ebook Edition © July 2018 ISBN: 9780008133085
Version: 2018-07-05
For John, my Essex boy, my soulmate, who accepted me as I was and didn’t try to change me. I carry you in my heart into this new phase of my life.
For Mum and Pop, who gave me love and stability for the first eight years to build the rest of my life on.
And for my kids, Helen and Graham, who’ve had to put up with me since they were born. I love you and I’m so proud of you.
Contents
3 My Closest Friend, Grizelda the Goat
7 Searching for My Birth Father
14 A Larger-than-life Character
15 Getting in Touch with Daisy
22 Going Bust and Climbing Back Up Again
25 The Professionals Take Over
27 The Meeting at High Wycombe
29 My Jersey Family’s Wartime History
30 Learning more about My Birth Mother