This charming and moving novel is set during the lead-up to the D-Day landings in 1944. The story is narrated by an elderly Lily Tregenza, who reflects on her childhood in the small, idyllic seaside village of Slapton in Devon. Her life, centered around her love for her cat, Adolphus Tips (Tips for short), is turned upside down when the British and American military suddenly arrive. In a real historical event, the entire village is evacuated so that the Allies can use the area for realistic practice maneuvers for the beach landings. Lily's family is forced to leave, but in the chaos, her beloved cat, Tips, goes missing. The bulk of the story is an emotional chronicle of Lily’s desperate attempts to find and rescue her cat, symbolizing the larger theme of the loss of home and innocence during wartime. The novel cleverly blends a deeply personal, relatable quest with the massive, world-changing events of World War II, shedding light on the often-forgotten sacrifices made by civilian communities for the war effort. It is a heartfelt story about love, loss, courage, and the powerful, comforting presence of a pet amid global turmoil.
