The isle of song

the long version

Ever since her mother died, Kate had had a hard time of it. Much as she loved her stepfather Jerome, she had to admit that he was completely improvident, flitting from one job to another, leaving bills unpaid, and taking it for granted that Kate would cope with it all, including the care of her younger sister and brother. It seemed a wonderful opportunity when Simon Ellison offered Jerome a job on an island in the South Pacific - but Kate had her doubts. She was very hurt when Simon accused her of fussing, of trying to run her family's lives for them, so she gave in, and they all set off. Had Simon been right - or would she after all soon be finding herself bearing everyone's burdens yet again?