Flamingo flying south

Cyprus held bitter-sweet memories for Georgia - memories of a never-to-be-forgotten summer with Justin, whom she had loved but who hadn't wanted her - and it was difficult to resist the opportunity of visiting it again. It was difficult, too, to turn down the possibility of a job looking after the two small children in the care of the unfeeling Agrippa Smith. Georgia felt sorry for the two children, he was such an unreasonable man, and obviously had no idea how to deal with two such highly-strung youngsters. So she agreed to stay in Cyprus and look after them and their pet flamingo. She came to care for the children - and for their father, in spite of his difficult ways. Perhaps she could reform Mr. Smith too? But what of the children's mother? And what about Justin, who chose this moment to come back into her life again, more interested this time....

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Fiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.