The Trunk Road is Esther Marshall Jessop's story: 'I'm scared of the memories of the road - scared of the contents of the trunk. But no one would ever have guessed. Then SHE sashayed into the Vicarage - spilling out bosoms, pulling in men - unearthing memories that I thought were buried forever. SHE and her family - steamrollering their way into our lives - forcing us to reassess the past, brace ourselves against the present and embrace a future we once would have deemed unimaginable.' From the minute Julia waltzes into the Vicarage, the only peace Esther knows is that given by the natural, rural beauty of her surroundings: her garden and the otters, ducks and wildlife which she loves. Esther struggles to keep herself afloat on this poignant, funny, scandalous voyage. She doesn't know it yet, but this is her time - her coming of age.