Swimming For Beginners by Nicola Gill

Swimming for Beginners will show you how a child can open your heart even if you aren’t a mother.

Loretta has her life under control. She’s chasing a big promotion, she’s marrying the “perfect man” and she has a flawless five-year plan. This plan does not include children.

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But when a complete stranger asks her to watch her six-year-old daughter in an airport and never returns, both their lives will be changed forever.

A little human in fairy wings and sparkly cowgirl boots will turn Loretta’s world upside down and maybe, just maybe, show her exactly what she’s missing.

Overflowing with humour and heartbreak, Nicola Gill takes us on a relatable journey of self-discovery through the power of a child’s love.

My Review

I have nothing in common with Loretta, so why do I see myself in her? I have been married for 40 years, I have children (and grandchildren). I’m not socially awkward, I don’t think, but I do hate forced ‘fun’ events, dread hen dos (all those inane phallic references like it’s the 1970s and we’ve never seen one including our husband-to-be’s), and I hope I’m a team player. Well up to a point. Maybe I’m not. And I cringe when anyone discusses their sex life in public. I will probably have to swap ‘sex’ for ‘love’ or Amazon will reject my review. Oh and I hate PDAs. Get a room. And I make lists. On my phone, in my diary, everywhere. In fact I need a list of my lists.

I felt really sorry for Loretta at work. She’s not weird, she just likes to keep herself to herself and get on with her job. She’s not interested in the inane gabbling of her colleagues. She doesn’t want to ‘swim with the dolphins’ as her prat of a boss refers to being a ‘team player’. Then when she decides she needs to be more sociable, he says she’s taken her eye off the ball. We could all have told you that would happen.

In the meantime, however, she’s at the airport waiting to catch a flight to New York for a very important presentation. Her promotion may depend on it and she needs to prepare. But that’s when she meets six-year-old Phoebe, who can talk for England without pausing for breath. Phoebe’s mum Kate is similar. Then Kate asks Loretta to watch Phoebe for a few minutes while she goes to the toilet, but she doesn’t return. And that’s when the story really begins.

Somehow, Loretta has found herself in the middle of a crisis, and she seems to be the only one who can help. Phoebe’s gran Sylvia thinks she’s too old to take care of Phoebe (she’s only 62). And Phoebe likes Loretta, though goodness knows why. She hasn’t a clue how to take care of a small child, let alone swim with the Little Fishes. The dolphins aren’t going that well either.

This book broke my heart so many times, mainly for Phoebe, but also for Loretta. Phoebe discovered that there are people around who can give you love, while Loretta found out that the work-life balance is important too. I wouldn’t want anyone who doesn’t have or want children to think it’s the only way, but it worked for Loretta.

Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours

About the Author

Nicola Gill lives in London with her husband and two sons. At the age of five, when all of the other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, she decided she wanted to be an author. Her ballet teacher was very relieved. When she’s not at her desk, you can usually find Nicola reading, cooking up vast vats of food for friends and family or watching box sets. Occasionally she even leaves the house…