Stella and Margie

by Glenna Thomson

  I’m indebted to Lorraine Monshing, OAM, for helping me understand the passion, culture and activities in community theatre. Also, Let Us Entertain You, LUEY, in Benalla, and the Wangaratta Players, for allowing me to observe them in action at meetings and rehearsals.

  I’m honoured to have HT Thomas write a beautiful poem for Chester, Purple Clematis.

  I appreciate the efforts of the Benalla Historical Society for the information about Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Benalla in 1954.

  I’m grateful to be part of a supportive writing community at the Wheeler Centre. Thanks to Antoni Jach and the members of Masterclass 5+. Also Toni Jordan and Kathryn Ledson.

  Years ago, when I worked in overseas aid, Ita Buttrose was a patron for women’s projects. We travelled to Asia and Africa together and shared many unique experiences. It’s very special to have her endorse this book.

  Thanks to my literary agent, Sheila Drummond, for her advice, support and commitment to my work.

  To my publisher Bev Cousins, editor Lex Hirst, and everyone at Penguin Random House for their enthusiasm and great skill in getting Stella and Margie out there – thank you.

  Finally, to my friends and family, especially Alistair, thanks for the love and unwavering support.

  Glenna Thomson lives in north-east Victoria on a cattle property. She portrays her experiences on the farm, and in her extensive garden, vividly in her writing. For several years, Glenna and her husband also managed a commercial blueberry orchard, which inspired her first novel, Blueberry. Glenna grew up on an apple orchard, married, had children, and before moving to the country she developed a career in overseas aid and business. Stella and Margie is her second novel.

  By the same author

  Blueberry

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  A Bantam book

  Published by Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd

  Level 3, 100 Pacific Highway, North Sydney NSW 2060

  www.penguin.com.au

  First published by Bantam in 2018

  Copyright © Glenna Thomson 2018

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity, including internet search engines or retailers, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying (except under the statutory exceptions provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968), recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of Penguin Random House Australia.

  Addresses for the Penguin Random House group of companies can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com/offices.

  ISBN 9780143782056

  Cover images courtesy of CSA Images/Getty Images

  Cover design by Nikki Townsend Design

  Ebook by Firstsource