Emily West's idyllic childhood is shattered when her young brother, Bobby, dies from meningitis. Her wish to escape to a more exciting, adventurous life seems to be granted when, at the age of eighteen, she meets Darren O'Dowel. Fifteen years her senior and with a job at the local radio station he appears to offer a sophisticated and glamorous existence... the reality is anything but. Darren is controlling, domineering, abusive and violent and leads her into a dark and degrading world of drink, drugs and sexual exploitation. Only when she eventually extracts herself from this destructive relationship can her life start afresh. But Darren O'Dowel does not forgive or forget. He blames her for his downturn in fortune and he wants revenge. He believes that Emily West has ruined his life... now he will try to ruin hers. (50% of the royalties from this book will go to the domestic violence charity REFUGE)