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May Smith is twenty-four at the outbreak of World War Two; at night, the sirens wail, and the young men of the village leave to fight. But still, ordinary life goes on: May goes shopping, plays tennis, takes holidays and even falls in love - while recording it faithfully in her diary.

'May is simply a joy, a bright spark in dark times' The Times

"I grew to love every single detail. This is what it really must have been like to live through the war in Derbyshire on a teacher's salary with no car. I was fascinated" - Spectator

"May Smith is simply a joy, a bright spark in dark times" - The Times

"Well written, witty and absorbing, Smith's chronicles give us an insight into the life and impact of the war in a small English village" - Yorkshire Evening Post