The sale of a deceased estate wreaks havoc in a small country town as battle lines are drawn over the development of a hotel. Are the 'haves' prepared to sacrifice anything for the 'have-nots'?
Margot and her sister Roslyn have lived side by side in their little town in the Adelaide Hills most of their lives, supporting each other through thick and thin. Then their neighbour Gunter dies and his will names Roslyn as executor - with a request to sell his house and vineyard and donate the money to a charity of her choice. When a developer wants to buy the land and create a massive hotel over Margot's back fence, Margot is outraged - but Roslyn supports the move - she will be able to give the money to the homeless (and help a penniless pregnant teen escaping domestic violence). Suddenly the sisters are on opposite sides of the fence, literally and figuratively. As the row heats up, their local community is divided between those pro development and those against, and battle lines are drawn, neighbours eyeing each other angrily either side. As vandalism erupts, bitter words are hurled and an outsider stirs the pot, will the town - and the sisters - ever recover their community spirit? Will anything ever be the same again? Gentle humour, practical wisdom and trademark warmth underpin this clever novel from a bestselling Australian author.
