When Lucy Ceased to Be

Having lost her mother the previous year, twelve-year-old Lucy Paget tries to make a contented life with her father on their farm in Ilkley, Yorkshire.  But her father, Sid, would rather spend his time and money in the public house.  One day in a fit of pique, Sid sets her up on a chair and tries to sell her to the men in the public house.  There are no buyers until a certain gentleman shows an interest and decides to take up the offer.  Edwin Beaumont has plans for poor Lucy and for the next eight years, she is trapped in a life of secrets and deceit as she adopts the guise of Edwin’s daughter.  Meeting her ‘cousin’ Theo Keeton brings some consolation and over time, his friend Matthew Raynor wins her heart.  But Edwin’s deception will not only lead to heartbreak, but also Lucy has to face the truth that Matthew might not be the man she thought he was when he is suspected of murder. 

Please note: This story includes sexual violence