Friendship, love, and misplaced hope drive the characters who populate a new collection of Maeve Binchy stories.

"Thorndike Press large print basic". Subtitle from cover.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES:Falling apart -- Picnic at St. Paul's -- Someone's got to tell her -- The foul-weather friend -- Giving up men -- Living well -- Chalk and cheese -- A few of the girls -- LOVE AND MARRIAGE: The bargain -- The afternoon phone-in -- Audrey -- Kiss me , Kate -- Forgiving -- New Year's eve and the garden -- The sensible celebration -- The mirror -- Mr. Mangan -- A tactful conversation -- YOUR CHEATING HEART: The afterthought -- Bella and the marriage guidance counselor -- Premonitions -- Big decisions in Brussels -- The custardy case -- RELATIVES AND THE OTHER STRANGERS: Be prepared -- A result -- Broken China -- No tears in the Tivoli -- The consultant aunt -- WORK AND NO PLAY -- Getting Grace to be reasonable -- Decision making at Christmas -- Catering for love -- A winter's tale -- HOLIDAYS: The dream holiday -- Sandra's suitcase -- The canary Valentine -- Half of ninety.