Book excerpt: A cosy, heartwarming Christmas read about the growing friendship between a young journalist and an old woman who lives in a house teetering on the edge of the Devon cliffs, by the bestselling author of The Vets of Hope Green and The Petshop on Pennycombe Bay Cliff's End Cottage is a local landmark. Perched on the South Devon coast, its garden has begun slowly toppling into the sea, yet the elderly and infamously stubborn owner Stella refuses to leave her home. When Holly, a young journalist and single mum struggling to make ends meet, decides to interview Stella about her life, at first she's given short shrift. However, helped by a slice or two of cake and a couple of friendly cats, a tentative friendship begins to develop between the two lonely women. Stella and Holly may live different lives, but over the cold winter nights, as Stella shares her story, the two women discover more and more in common. Time is running out for the house on the edge, but perhaps, together, Stella and Holly can find a new way forward. A heart-warming story by the author of The Vets of Hope Green, where two women from different generations find that a new friend - no matter how late in life they may appear - can mean everything Praise for Sheila Norton's delightful books 'Thoroughly enjoyable' KATIE FFORDE 'A truly lovely read with delightful characters' PHILLIPA ASHLEY 'Like a plate of hot-buttered crumpets and a mug of tea - warm, comforting and utterly delightful!' ANNIE LYONS 'A charming and heartwarming book, that will bring a smile to every reader's face' CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN 'A charming read. Made me want to move to the country and buy a cottage with roses around the door' SARAH MORGAN