About the Author

'Jane Oliver' was the pen-name of Helen Evans (1903-1970). Formerly a PE teacher, a pilot, and Clemence Dane's secretary, Helen met her co-author Ann Stafford (the pen-name of Anne Pedler, 1900-1966) when working at the Times Book Club. Business as Usual was their first joint novel: together and as solo authors they published at least ninety-seven books. Helen married the author John Llewelyn Rhys, who was killed in the Second World War. She and Anne founded the Llewelyn Rhys Prize in his memory. They later lived near each other in Hampshire where they were prominent historical novelists and campaigners for animal welfare.