Showing results by author "Joanna Nell" in All Categories

The life of 79-year-old pensioner Peggy Smart is as beige as the décor in her retirement village. Her week revolves around aqua aerobics and appointments with her doctor. The highlight of Peggy's day is watching her neighbour Brian head out for his morning swim. Peggy dreams of inviting the handsome widower to an intimate dinner. But why would an educated man like Brian, a chartered accountant no less, look twice at Peggy? As a woman of a certain age, she fears she has become invisible, even to men in their 80s.

Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement. Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables. When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off.

At nearly 90, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her 'room with a view' - of the car park! - she dreams of escape.

As the wife of retired ship's doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner - gown, tiara, runners - and regales her fellow passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury, as well as showing off her superior knowledge of everything from ships' customs to biographical details of her heroine, Florence Nightingale. The crew treat her with deference. And forbearance.

The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is at the heart of St Jude's Hospital. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, for over 50 years, the beloved cafeteria has been serving up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones. Hilary, the stalwart manageress, has worked her way up through the ranks, Jo, the latest recruit, is driving Hilary mad by arriving late every day and 17-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering in the holidays and bemused by the older women.

Peggy Smart, Alter: 79, Beziehungsstatus: Es ist kompliziert... Peggys Alltag ist so langweilig und beige wie die Klamotten in ihrem Schrank: Scrabble, Wassergymnastik, Arztbesuche. Auch die Enkel könnten häufiger vorbeikommen. Aber dass das Leben mit 79 noch bunt sein kann, das beweist eine alte Freundin. Als Angie neu in das Seniorendorf einzieht, mischt sie die Rentnergemeinschaft ordentlich auf. Auch Peggy erwacht aus ihrer Lethargie. Denn die früheren Freundinnen sind immer schon Rivalinnen gewesen.

Peggy Smart, Alter: 79, Beziehungsstatus: Es ist kompliziert... Peggys Alltag ist so langweilig und beige wie die Klamotten in ihrem Schrank: Scrabble, Wassergymnastik, Arztbesuche. Auch die Enkel könnten häufiger vorbeikommen. Aber dass das Leben mit 79 noch bunt sein kann, das beweist eine alte Freundin. Als Angie neu in das Seniorendorf einzieht, mischt sie die Rentnergemeinschaft ordentlich auf. Auch Peggy erwacht aus ihrer Lethargie. Denn die früheren Freundinnen sind immer schon Rivalinnen gewesen. Und so dauert es nicht lange, bis beide für den charmanten Nachbarn Brian schwärmen.