The Girl Author:Catherine Cookson When dying Nancy Boyle - for her own good reasons -names Matthew Thornton the father of her eight year old daughter Hannah and leaves her at Elmholm House,she unwittingly sentences Hannah to an angry fate. For Hannah must endure Anne Thornton's extreme cruelty, marriage to Fred Loam, a man she does not love, and many, many other obstacles to her... more » ultimate happiness.« less