Inspired by the life of E.M. Forster and his relationship with his long-time companion Bob Buckingham and his wife, this is an exquisitely told, tragic tale of thwarted love It is in 1950s' Brighton that Marion first catches sight of Tom. He teaches her to swim in the shadow of the pier and Marion is smitten—determined her love will be enough for them both. A few years later in Brighton Museum Patrick meets Tom. Patrick is besotted with Tom and opens his eyes to a glamorous, sophisticated new world. Tom is their policeman, and in this age it is safer for him to marry Marion. The two lovers must share him, until one of them breaks and three lives are destroyed. "A humane and evocative portrait of a time when lives were destroyed by intolerance."  — Guardian "Bethan Roberts is a fearless writer."—Louise Welsh, author, The Cutting Room , on The Good Plain Cook Bethan Roberts  is the author of  The Good Plain Cook , which was chosen as one of UK  Time Out books of the year.