Eating Peaches

Elena is a solicitor of the regular kind , the only unusual thing about her is her name (her mother had a passion for Russian ice dancing). She shares a flat with two friends and, occasionally, her uptight accountant boyfriend, Paul. Elena's future seems to be mapped out in its own unexciting way. That is, until her boss calls her into his office, and promises her a partnership if she sets up a new office for him in his hometown of Ballymuck. Elena is horrified; after all, the country is full of wildlife and strange noises! But the promise of a partnership prevails and she takes off for nine months' purgatory in the back of beyond. However, as Elena gets to grips with the wildlife of this picturesque little town - both animal and human - she discovers quite a lot: that she actually likes the countryside, that her former life was stressful and boring, and that the local publican has not one but seven , handsome sons. Also by Tara Heavey: A Brush with Love.