No: Sequel to One Small Word, (Paperback)

This novel, the sequel to 'One Small Word - Surviving childhood abuse', journeys with Frankie as she continues to battle against abuse.

It opens when Frankie, now a qualified social worker, hears about her father's death but cannot bring herself to attend the funeral of the man who had abused her until she told him "No" at the age of fourteen. Shortly after his death, Frankie's husband, Alex, has a large stroke. He is the man of her dreams, and confronting the end of the Alex she knew conjures angry memories of her father's betrayal. Frankie finds solace in Gavin, a work colleague, while caring for post-stroke Alex. But life deteriorates further when Frankie and Gavin's manager begins a bullying campaign against them and three other team members. She, Gavin, and their three colleagues support each other as they lodge a formal complaint against their bullying boss. But things get worse, so Frankie finds a new job and flat, which relieves some of her stress. However, the complaint against her former boss, who still harasses her, continues while she is settling into her new job.

Shortly after Frankie is elected to the position of Chair of her local parish council, Alex is at the point of death, and the opposition councillors, recognizing Frankie's vulnerability, join in the bullying for political gain. She realizes that without Gavin to support her, life would be intolerable.

As a survivor of abuse, Frankie knows she's susceptible to victimhood. With many cliff-hanger chapter endings, the plot sustains suspense about the bullies' next moves and how Frankie defends herself against them. This focus on bullying keeps the writing cantered on feelings and relationships, and the small cast of Frankie, people who bully her, and people who support her efforts against bullies, creates a closed and threatening ambiance.

Eventually, Frankie quits paid employment and sets up her own safeguarding consultancy, enjoying her independence and making a real difference to people who, like her, have experienced abuse.

The ending of Frankie's story is positive and uplifting. The "No" that determined Frankie's life trajectory turns into a "Yes" to life-affirming practices and people, the most important positive effect being that each negative experience had made her into the strong woman she is today.