The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

Title: The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club
Author: Helen Simonson
Publication: Dial Press, hardcover, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Seaside England

Description: Recently orphaned Constance Haverhill is staying at the Meredith Hotel at Hazelbourne-on-Sea as a sort of companion to elderly Mrs. Fog (in reality, they are chaperoning each other). Mrs. Fog’s daughter, Lady Mercer, and Constance’s mother had been at school together and continued as neighbors when one married a lord and one a farmer, exchanging favors. During the Great War, Constance did invaluable work running the Mercers’ estate office but has been relieved of her (unpaid) duties once the men returned home. She is temporarily distracted from thoughts of how to make a living when she meets Poppy Wirrall, a confident young woman from a prominent local family, and Poppy’s brother Harris who lost a leg in the war and has not recovered emotionally or physically. Poppy was a dispatch rider during the war and, with several former colleagues has started a motorcycle business, women acting as chauffeurs, headquartered in the barn of her family home, Penneston. Constance also meets the Morris family, arrogant Tom who wants to marry Poppy, and his two lovely sisters, one of whom was engaged to Harris before he lost his leg.

Constance is freed from her duties as Mrs. Wing renews acquaintance with an old flame, and starts spending her time with the lady motorcyclists, enjoying Poppy’s company but identifying most with those who need to support themselves. Although everyone is working hard, Constance blossoms with the female companionship of these modern women and she stands up for herself when Harris condescends to her, gaining his grudging respect. Slowly, they become friends and when she and Poppy retrieve his old batman from London, Harris is forced to take responsibility for someone worse off than himself. When Poppy spends her savings on a damaged airplane, the Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle Club seeks to add Aviation to its business, and begins planning for a Peace Day parade air show followed by a ball. For Constance, however, it may be time to turn into a pumpkin.

My Impression: I loved Helen Simonson’s first two books, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (2010) and The Summer Before the War (2016), both of which my book group read and enjoyed. I was excited for this book even before I realized the heroine bore my name and it did not disappoint. Poppy changes Constance’s life when she asks to borrow a skirt and casually invites Constance to dine with her family, warning that her brother Harris is morose because he lost a leg. Constance is not daunted, just worried about how to behave to him.

“Honestly spoken,” said Poppy. “I know we’ve only just met, but I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends. Do say you’ll come to dinner with us. When you know me better you’ll understand I find it hard to take no for an answer.”

“I believe I have already learned that,” said Constance, laughing. “So I would be delighted.”

In fact, dining with the Wirralls not only provides Constance with a much-needed friend but also improves Constance’s status with the hotel staff, who previously pressured her to eat alone in her room when Mrs. Wing isn’t able to join her. Everything in this story speaks to the fact that middle class women like Constance with neither high birth nor money behind her are powerless despite their intelligence and skills. The conclusion of the war ended or limited their independence and ability to be self-sufficient.

The men in the book are also recovering from the war. Initially, “[e]ven the surly Harris, with his unfocused stare and slumped shoulders, joined in with a few blistering comments, delivered in the voice of affectionate condescension that men sometimes use to convey love” to his female relatives is just sitting around feeling sorry for himself but when he learns his inheritance is much less than expected, he recognizes the need to earn a living in spite of the fact that his peers think his amputated leg disqualifies him from employment. Another character is trying to rebuild his life: Klaus, a German waiter who was interned during the war and practically starved afterward. He has resumed his job at the Meredith Hotel but knows he is on sufferance, due to the hatred of all Germans. Unlike them, Tom Morris is financially secure as the son of the Mayor who owns Hazelbourne Aviation but lacks empathy for others. Another friend, Sam, regards the young ladies with tongue-tied admiration:

“Our grandmother, being an earl’s daughter, would have made him come in the back door, you know,” added Evangeline. “Being in trade.”

“Isn’t he in the same business as your father?” asked Constance, feigning puzzlement. “I thought you were one of his biggest customers?” Evangeline bristled like an angry chicken.

“Sam’s grandfather was a blacksmith while our family is ten generations of gentlemen in this county,” she said. “Flying is considered a gentleman’s pursuit, you know, and then in the war my father felt he must do his part.”

So few men returned after WWI that the snobbish Morris sisters have to cast their nets wide, as marriage is the only option that interests them, whereas the government is making employment difficult for women like Constance and Poppy’s motorcycle colleagues in its eagerness to protect returning soldiers. There are many different layers to this novel, economic and emotional, and Simonson keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Source: NetGalley. This is my sixteenth book for Marg's 2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge and was delightful.  It reminded me a little of one of my favorites, The Edge of the Cloud, second in the Flambards series.  I want an autographed copy so I hope the author comes to Boston for an event this summer although none is currently scheduled.  

For those who don't know, Constance means “steadfastness.” Though French in origin, Constance is rooted in the Latin constantem, meaning “resolute” or “faithful.” It's a name that embraces dedication and perseverance no matter the obstacles faced.