Dutch Courage

Twenty-three year old Simon is in his final year at university; he spends most of his time hanging out and not much time on his college work. He takes a day off from college to complete a forgotten assignment and gets a phone call from a stranger, a girl named Ingrid. She invites herself to his house and then becomes so intoxicated with drugs and alcohol that she collapses on his kitchen floor. Simon panics and decides to ship Ingrid off in a taxi. When Ingrid disappears, the police blame him for stealing her car and later suspect him of her abduction. Suspicions are lifted when Ingrid shows up a couple of weeks later and embarks on a seemingly doomed relationship with Simon. In order to save their relationship and their future, Simon must find the courage to battle both of their addictions as well as Ingrid's rich and controlling father who has already decided whom she should marry.A M Clarke is a writer who enjoys tackling social problems and bringing them to the forefront in her novels. Part of her research for this novel included attending some AA meetings and speaking with alcoholics about their addictions. Dutch Courage is her third novel. Her next novel, Thy Will Be Done, deals with the problems that the rule of celibacy augurs for Roman Catholic priests. Father Daniel Masters is a newly ordained priest who comes to the Parish of St. Hilda's to start his ministry. Early on in his ministry he befriends Luke Dennison, one of the altar boys, who is an observer in this particular priest's drama. Luke is caught in the middle; he loves his faith but is acutely aware of the restraints his religion exerts on his life and his friendship with Daniel.Ann lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire UK.