Not without you by Alan and Irene Brogan

This is a true story of an unbreakable bond formed between two children aged 7 and 9. The couple’s love story began in 1959 when they were placed at the same children’s home in Sunderland, England after the deaths of their mothers. Their fathers struggled to keep their families together which in turn led the children to live in care where cruel punishments were dealt by the carers for any small misdemeanour.
From the moment they met, they were inseparable. They became each others family forming a deep and loving bond but boy-girl friendships in any form were frowned upon in the home. When their friendship was discovered Alan was sent away without any explanation and no goodbye. Although they were forcibly parted their bond was never broken and so started an incredible journey to find each other again.
Despite painful memories of lonely childhoods, cruelty, and desperate attempts to escape the system, this is an astonishing story that will leave you feeling sad, angry and wondering how any child could survive the horrors of the child care system of the 50’s and 60’s.
A wonderful and inspiring read.
Debra