The Hireling

L. P. Hartley

Overcome with grief at her husband's death Lady Franklin an eligible young widow unburdens herself to Leadbitter - a gallant hard-bitten ex-soldier who has invested his savings in the car he drives for hire - as he takes her on a series of journeys. He in turn beguiles her with stories of his non-existent wife and children drawing her out of her self-absorption and weaving a dream-life with Lady Franklin at its heart. Half-hoping to make his dream come true Leadbitter takes a bold not to say reckless step which costs him dearly and brings these characters' tangled story to a dramatic and unexpected conclusion.>