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No Going Back (1960)
At the start of the book, Tamzin is experimenting with new hairstyles (a bad sign), when Rissa shouts out that a hearse is coming up the drive. It’s driven by Meryon, who’s borrowed it to take (and pass) his driving test. When they all pile in for a ride, Rissa gets into a huff because Meryon makes it clear he would like Tamzin sitting next to him and she starts wondering about changing her own hairstyle. Oh dear. There’s a sub-plot in this book about Jim Decks buying the hearse (before passing his test!) and setting up a funeral business with Hookey Galley. Naturally, they are smuggling again. Really, the book is all about Meryon, Tamzin and what will happen to the gang of four.
A night time fishing trip is planned with Jim and Hookey. Neither Rissa nor Roger can go and Meryon says to Tamzin that it’s nice to have just the two of them alone. Tamzin is seasick, as she often is and Meryon, looking after her, realises that even when she looks terrible, Tamzin is the one. He makes it clear and when Tamzin protests that she’s only fourteen, replies, ‘Juliet was fourteen.’ This is the point from which there is no going back. Even Tamzin’s parents notice, in an amused way, that the relationship has changed. Tamzin is confused. On the one hand, she’s happy and realises that she’s always ‘adored’ Meryon. On the other, she doesn’t feel ready for ‘romance’, by which I suppose she means a little hand holding and kissing and she also feels guilty about Rissa, who is not her normal, cheerful self.
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At the start of the book, Tamzin is experimenting with new hairstyles (a bad sign), when Rissa shouts out that a hearse is coming up the drive. It’s driven by Meryon, who’s borrowed it to take (and pass) his driving test. When they all pile in for a ride, Rissa gets into a huff because Meryon makes it clear he would like Tamzin sitting next to him and she starts wondering about changing her own hairstyle. Oh dear. There’s a sub-plot in this book about Jim Decks buying the hearse (before passing his test!) and setting up a funeral business with Hookey Galley. Naturally, they are smuggling again. Really, the book is all about Meryon, Tamzin and what will happen to the gang of four.
A night time fishing trip is planned with Jim and Hookey. Neither Rissa nor Roger can go and Meryon says to Tamzin that it’s nice to have just the two of them alone. Tamzin is seasick, as she often is and Meryon, looking after her, realises that even when she looks terrible, Tamzin is the one. He makes it clear and when Tamzin protests that she’s only fourteen, replies, ‘Juliet was fourteen.’ This is the point from which there is no going back. Even Tamzin’s parents notice, in an amused way, that the relationship has changed. Tamzin is confused. On the one hand, she’s happy and realises that she’s always ‘adored’ Meryon. On the other, she doesn’t feel ready for ‘romance’, by which I suppose she means a little hand holding and kissing and she also feels guilty about Rissa, who is not her normal, cheerful self.
( more )
