Ann Matkins

Heather on the Hill Ann Matkins

It is 1962. In the grand scheme of things, Natalie, a self-effacing copy editor, is meant to marry Simon, an avant-garde sculptor, and live happily ever after. But there's a problem. Shortly before the intended time of meeting his wife-to-be, Simon has attempted suicide and is now receiving healing and counselling in the heavenly realms. Meanwhile, Natalie has lost her trust in men after leaving a disastrous relationship. So there seems little chance they will meet. But in a higher dimension the Elders have devised a remedial plan to ensure they do. Someone needs to step into Simon's shoes and temporarily take care of his Earthly life until he is ready to reclaim it. That job falls to Jack, a mutual friend of Simon and Natalie in a past life. Jack - an independent and, at times, impatient spirit - is asked by the Elders to be a go-between in order that Simon can repay the karmic debt he owes Natalie. And for Jack, too, this is an opportunity to mend the cracks he left behind hundreds of years ago. There are many twists and turns of destiny in this story of reincarnation and lives romantically entwined. Will Simon have learned from his past mistakes? Will Jack recognise Natalie as a former love? Will Natalie ever find lasting happiness? And where do Tom, the newspaper boy, and Edmund, the psychiatrist, figure in all of this?