Different World Paperback

After a bitter family breakdown, William-Wetherby seeks a new life far from home. But being rid of Mr Wetherby isn’t as simple as it seems…

Setting off in search of his brother, William-Wetherby heads to Liverpool. Since they were last together their world has changed and with no one to turn to, he needs a friend.

When he rents a room with a local family, he refuses to tell his landlady or her daughter, Bella, anything about his past

But their curiosity is piqued…

And Bella needs to know.

As their friendship develops and he begins to trust her, Bella hopes he’ll settle down. But a final surprise from Mr Wetherby reignites past grievances ... and this time William-Wetherby is ready for a fight.

Liverpool, Lancashire. England. April 1890

Today had turned into a day of firsts. Until this morning, William-Wetherby had never travelled more than five miles from the centre of Birmingham. He had never needed to or wanted to, and yet here he was, away from the place he had called home for the first twenty-one and a half years of his life. He stood on the platform of Liverpool’s Lime Street Station, transfixed by the magnificent engine that had pulled him across the country. He’d seen trains coming in and out of Birmingham’s New Street Station, of course he had, but he’d never imagined travelling on one. Today had changed that and it was a thrill he didn’t think he’d tire of. How did something so large, pulling so much weight, move with such speed? The train rested now with plumes of smoke spewing from its chimney, but it was about to do something he may never do again: go back to Birmingham.


With his heart pounding, he stared down the platform at the backs of his fellow passengers as they scurried from the noise and soot. He would have to follow them if he wanted his first glimpse of this new city, but his feet were like lead. Taking hold of his small travel bag, he gripped the handle and forced himself forward. His pace was slow and once he passed through the main entrance, he stopped to take a deep breath of fresh air. It smelt different. Not the choking smog of Birmingham, but something else … and what was that noise? He glanced up to see birds circling overhead, their grey and white feathers indistinct against the tones of the sky. They were like nothing he’d seen before.


His gaze moved to the large open space that spread out before him. There were people everywhere but his eyes were drawn to a majestic building to his right. It was magnificent in size but the end facing him had the same Roman pillars and gently sloping roof as the Town Hall in Birmingham. Would everything remind him of home? 


Taking another deep breath, he moved away from the station and followed the crowds down the side of the hall. St George’s Hall a sign said. Concert Hall and Assizes Court. He shrugged. A strange combination.


Within five minutes the steady stream of travellers became part of a larger crowd in the middle of a square. Shops surrounded him and William-Wetherby’s mouth fell open as he turned a full circle.