‘Walking in time with the beat, clapping her hands, clicking her fingers. How could anyone resist the urge to dance? Dot swirled her Red Cross cape in time with the rhythm.’

London, 1944. The air raid sirens are blaring, bombers are hovering. The war with Germany has been raging for four years and there’s no sign of peace coming.

Dot Gallagher is newly arrived from Liverpool and working as a nurse. During an air strike, she encounters an enthralling group of American GIs who tell her all about Rainbow Corner, a social club for US troops in Piccadilly – it’s a wartime oasis where they can forget their fears, fall in and out of love and dance the nights away.

It’s here that Dot finds a new best friend in Lilly. And together, against the stark realities of war, they must learn to face their fears, uncover secrets and discover the true meaning of love.

Praise for Meet Me At Rainbow Corner:'From the first to the last page, I was captivated by this brilliant novel, and simply didn't want it to end' - Jenny Ashcroft
'Hugely enjoyable and meticulously researched… A must for anyone who likes wartime novels with a difference' - Rosie Goodwin
'A beautiful book about friendship, romance and courage set against a background of war and peril. I loved it' - Sue Cleaver
'Utterly charming and engrossing' - Joanna Lumley
‘A deeply evocative snapshot of the experiences of a group of feisty and determined women, who became GI Brides in World War 2' - Fiona Valpy

Double bill of films set in India. In 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), John Madden directs an all-star cast of Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup and Tom Wilkinson as a group of mature Brits who travel to India looking for a sunnier climate in which to retire. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, as the previously lonely people grow closer, the hotel soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own. 'Life of Pi' (2012) is an Academy Award-winning fantasy adventure based on Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning novel. Suraj Sharma stars as Pi Patel, a 16-year-old zookeeper's son from Pondicherry who finds himself stranded on a small boat in the Pacific Ocean in the company of a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger following the shipwreck of the freighter on which he and his family were sailing for Canada. Over the course of several months Pi manages to survive on the meagre supplies of food and water he finds on the boat, and also takes up fishing, while in his half-delirious state he muses on various aspects of animal behaviour, religion and the meaning of life.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Smashing ... I was hooked on page one and literally could not put it down. I loved all that she wrote about the true story behind this thrilling tale' JOANNA LUMLEY 'Gripping ... An epic adventure' ROSIE GOODWIN 'A gripping read' DAILY MIRROR, Summer reads _____________________ Nice, France, 1911: After three years of marriage, young seamstress Marcela Caretto has finally had enough. Her husband, Michael, an ambitious tailor, has become cruel and controlling and she determines to get a divorce. But while awaiting the judges' decision on the custody of their two small boys, Michael receives news that changes everything. Meanwhile fun-loving New York socialite Margaret Hays is touring Europe with some friends. Restless, she resolves to head home aboard the most celebrated steamer in the world - RMS Titanic. As the ship sets sail for America, carrying two infants bearing false names, the paths of Marcela, Michael and Margaret cross - and nothing will ever be the same again. From the Sunday Times-bestselling author, Celia Imrie, Orphans of the Storm dives into the waters of the past to unearth a sweeping, epic tale of the sinking of the Titanic that radiates with humanity and hums with life.

Sharon Maguire directs this third instalment of the romantic comedy series based on the characters created by Helen Fielding. Renée Zellweger reprises her role as Bridget Jones, the quirky forty-something who is learning to embrace adulthood. Following her break up with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), Bridget decides to focus on her career as a top news producer while also attempting to enjoy the single life with friends.

Her love life takes another turn when she meets suave American Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey), who helps her out after getting into a spot of bother at a music festival. With a new relationship flourishing and everything seemingly under control, it's not long before there's a hitch - she discovers she's pregnant. Unsure if the father is long-term love interest Darcy, or newcomer Qwant, Bridget is yet again faced with making some awkward and ultimately life-changing decisions.

The cast also includes Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson and Emma Thompson.

'Anything written by Celia Imrie is guaranteed to put a smile on your face' Good Housekeeping

The beautiful town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, tucked between glitzy Monte Carlo and the plush red carpets of Cannes, is home to Theresa, Carol, William, Benjamin and Sally: five retired expats who have pooled their resources to set up La Mosaïque, a divine little restaurant.

But there is trouble in paradise: the friends are desperately struggling to make ends meet, and when the much hoped for sale of their Picasso mosaic falls through they realise it will take every bit of their talent and gumption to save La Mosaïque.

The witty and enchanting third novel from the well-loved actress and Sunday Times­-bestselling author of Not Quite Nice and Nice Work (If You Can Get It), perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Fern Britton

___________________ 'A delicious piece of entertainment' - The Times 'A very witty novel by a very witty woman. Hugely entertaining' - Julian Fellowes 'If you're not already on holiday reading this, it will make you want to pack your bags!' - Best ___________________ Somewhere on the French Riviera, tucked between glitzy Monte Carlo and Cannes' red carpets, lies the pretty town of Bellevue-Sur-Mer. Sheltered from the glittering melee, it is home to many an expat - including an enterprising team who plan to open a new restaurant. Snapping up a local property and throwing themselves into preparations, Theresa, Carol, William and Benjamin's plans are proceeding unnervingly well. But when Theresa encounters a mysterious intruder, she begins to wonder what secrets the building is concealing. Meanwhile Sally, an actress who gave up the stage to live in quiet anonymity, has decided not to be involved. The famous Cannes Film Festival is on and she is far too busy entertaining unexpected visitors from her past, and an intriguingly handsome Russian. As the razzmatazz of the festival begins to spill over into Bellevue-Sur-Mer, its inhabitants become entangled in complex love triangles and conflicting business interests. With the race on to get the restaurant open in time, the gang find themselves knee-deep in skulduggery, and realise they can no longer tell who's nasty ... and who's nice. ___________________ Praise for the Nice series... 'Her work has definite joie de vivre' - Wendy Holden, Daily Mail 'Hugely enjoyable' - Katie Fforde 'Utterly delicious' - Joanna Lumley 'Warm, light-hearted, fast-paced' - Joanne Harris 'Hugely entertaining' - Julian Fellowes 'Such a charming romp' - Fern Britton 'A shaft of early summer sunshine' - Daily Mail 'A delicious piece of entertainment' - The Times

___________________ 'A funny, spirited read' - Daily Mail 'A hugely enjoyable romp of a novel' - Katie Fforde 'Utterly delicious in every way' - Joanna Lumley ___________________ Theresa is desperate for a change. Forced into early retirement and fed up with babysitting her bossy daughter's obnoxious children, she sells her house and moves to the picture-perfect town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, just outside Nice. Once the hideaway of artists and writers, it is now home to the odd rock icon and Hollywood movie star, and, as Theresa soon discovers, a close-knit set of expats. There's Carol, the glamorous American and her doting husband David; the British TV star Sally; the ferocious Sian and her wayward Australian poet husband; the sharply witty Zoe with her strangely youthful face and penchant for white wine - and the suave Brian who catches Theresa's eye... As Theresa settles to the gentle rhythm of seaside life she embraces her new-found friendships and freedom. However, life is never quite as simple as it seems and as skeletons start to fall out of several closets, Theresa begins to wonder if life on the French Riviera is quite as nice as it first appeared... ___________________ Praise for the Nice series... 'Her work has definite joie de vivre' - Wendy Holden, Daily Mail 'Hugely enjoyable' - Katie Fforde 'Utterly delicious' - Joanna Lumley 'Warm, light-hearted, fast-paced' - Joanne Harris 'Hugely entertaining' - Julian Fellowes 'Such a charming romp' - Fern Britton 'A shaft of early summer sunshine' - Daily Mail 'A delicious piece of entertainment' - The Times

Christopher N. Rowley co-writes and directs this children's fantasy adventure adapted from Georgia Byng's novel. After discovering a magical book on hypnotism, orphan Molly Moon (Raffey Cassidy) uses its powers to escape her glum orphanage life and travel to London in search of her friend Rocky (Jadon Carnelly-Morris). With the bright lights of the city quickly causing a distraction, Molly soon deviates from her quest and mesmerises her way into the lead role of her very own musical, becoming a singing sensation overnight. Trouble is not far away however, as Molly's new-found fame attracts the attention of bungling criminal Simon Nockman (Dominic Monaghan), who attempts to steal the magic book to use as part of his latest robbery scheme. The cast also includes Emily Watson, Joan Collins and Omid Djalili.

When ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott discovers that her husband of forty years is having an affair with her best friend, she seeks refuge with her estranged, older sister Bif.

The two could not be more different - Sandra is a fish out of water next to her outspoken, serial dating, free-spirited sibling. But different is just what Sandra needs and she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to her community dance class, where gradually she starts finding her feet... and romance.

In this hilarious and heart-warming modern comedy, a colourful group of defiant and energetic ‘baby boomers’ show Sandra that retirement is only the beginning, and that divorce might just give her a whole new lease of life - and love.

The deliciously witty, irresistibly indulgent novel from the top ten Sunday Times-bestselling author of Not Quite Nice follows the exploits of two women on board an Atlantic cruise ship

Suzy Marshall and Amanda Herbert have both found themselves on a transatlantic cruiser by accident: struggling actress Suzy has had her play abruptly cancelled under rather suspicious circumstances; and Amanda's found herself homeless in rainy Clapham after her flat purchase falls through. But the ship has barely left the harbor before Suzy and Amanda realize that there's something very strange afoot indeed. Neither can predict the strange characters and dodgy dealings they will encounter - nor the unexpected rewards to reaped at high sea.

London, 1944. The air raid sirens are blaring, the bombers are hovering. England has been at war with Germany for four years, and there's no sign of peace coming. Dot Gallagher, newly arrived from Liverpool to offer her services as a nurse, hurries from her Red Cross hostel to the tube station to join the crowds of people taking shelter. A group of GIs have started dancing around a wind-up gramophone, and it doesn't take long for Dot to join them. As she jives along with one of the American soldiers, he tells her about Rainbow Corner, a social club in Piccadilly for US troops. There is always a demand for dance hostesses there, women who know how to jitterbug and rock'n'roll, to dance with the soldiers. Would Dot like to apply?

As Dot discovers, Rainbow Corner is like no other place, an oasis in London where, once inside, the constraints of wartime Britain disappear. There is no rationing, all luxuries are available, including a constant stream of donuts, chewing gum and cola. There are restaurants and cafes, boxing matches and movies, and, much to Dot's delight, a huge dance hall. Rather like an Embassy, Rainbow Corner is essentially a plot of America in central London.

It is there that Dot becomes firm friends with many of the other hostesses, and in particular with Lilly, who works for the Colonel.

Meet Me at Rainbow Corner follows the lives of Dot, Lilly and their friends, as they dance the nights away, fall in and out of love, and navigate the horrors of war. Lilly goes on a secret mission with her Colonel to France, and Dot becomes pregnant and returns to Liverpool. When the war is over, they are re-united, having travelled by boat to the US with countless other war brides to meet their repatriated fiancés again. Along the way, they uncover a case of inside espionage and learn the true meaning of love.

Complete collection of episodes of the popular British comedy starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles. Recently widowed Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton (Keith) is devastated when she is forced to sell her ancestral home after the death of her husband leaves her in desperate need of funds. The new owner of Grantleigh Manor, self-made millionaire Richard De Vere (Bowles) sets about making changes to the day-to-day running of the manor which, having just moved into the lodge at the end of the drive, Audrey sees developing before her. As Audrey decides to educate the new lord of the manor in his civic duties, a love-hate relationship develops between the pair with occasional mediation from Audrey's best friend Marjory (Angela Thorne) and Richard's mother Mrs Poo (Dephne Heard). Series 1 episodes are: 'Grantleigh', 'All New Together', 'Rhythms of the Earth/Going to Church', 'Nation's Heritage', 'The Summer Hunt Ball', 'The Grapevine' and 'A Touch of Class'. Series 2 episodes are: 'The Farm Manager', 'The Spare Room', 'Never Be Alone', 'Tramps and Poachers', 'The Honours List' and 'Vive Le Sport'. Series 3 episodes are: 'Scout Hut', 'Station Closing', 'Horses Vs. Cars', 'Birds Vs. Bees', 'Cosmetics', 'Business Troubles' and 'The Wedding'. The collection also includes the Christmas special 'First Noel' from 1979 and the 2007 25th anniversary episode.

Jason Isaacs stars in this psychological thriller directed by Gore Verbinski. When an organisation receives news from their CEO saying that he has taken up residence in a remote wellness centre in rural Switzerland, a young executive (Dane DeHaan) is tasked with bringing him home after the board believe he has lost his mind. When he arrives at the centre however, the young man quickly realises that there is something rather sinister going on and when he tries to leave he finds himself lying in a bed with a broken leg and no way out. The cast also includes Celia Imrie, Jason Babinsky and Adrian Schiller.

Patrick Melrose is a new kind of family saga which takes a scathing and sardonic view of the upper-classes, shining an unforgiving light on the privilege, greed cruelty and vulnerabilities that lie within their ranks.

Played to perfection by Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick himself is many things: an aristocratic addict, a rakish and outrageously funny playboy, but he is also a man living as a victim of the sins of his parents.

Based on the celebrated series of semi-autobiographical novels by Edward St Aubyn, this intelligent, beautifully told 5-episode miniseries follows Patrick as he embarks on a harrowing yet humorous decades-spanning odyssey to come to terms with the effects of childhood trauma.

Complete second series of the British sitcom based on the stories by P.G. Wodehouse and starring Timothy Spall and Jennifer Saunders. Set in 1929, the series follows Clarence Threepwood (Spall), the Ninth Earl of Emsworth and head of Blandings Castle, who would like nothing more than to be left alone, along with his cherished pet pig The Empress. Unfortunately, in such a chaotic household his wish rarely comes true and he is forced to face up to familial responsibilities by his formidable sister Connie (Saunders). The cast also includes Tim Vine, Jack Farthing, Robert Bathurst and Harry Enfield. The episodes are: 'Throwing Eggs', 'Dirty Work at the Crossroads', 'Hallo to All This', 'Lord Emsworth Acts for the Best', 'Sticky Wicket at Blandings', 'Necessary Rhino' and 'The Custody of the Pumpkin'.

John Madden directs this British comedy drama starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith. The film follows the experiences of a group of elderly Brits who arrive to take up residence in a newly-opened retirement home in Bangalore, India. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, the Marigold turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, it soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own.

Both instalments of the 2009 Christmas special of the BBC costume drama starring Judi Dench. The two-part episode picks up the story in September 1844, a year since the small Cheshire market town celebrated the wedding of Sophy (Kimberley Nixon) and Dr Harrison (Simon Woods). Miss Matty (Dench) knows only too well that faces will always come and go in Cranford, but for now she is happy that her brother Peter (Nicholas Le Prevost) is home from India and that Martha (Claudie Blakley) is enjoying her newfound motherhood. Meanwhile, Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) is awaiting the return of her son Septimus (Rory Kinnear), and young Harry Gregson (Alex Etel) is set to begin his education at Shrewsbury.

Jess (Charlotte Coleman) is the adopted daughter of an over-enthusiastic evangelist (Geraldine McEwan), whose views on life have been shaped by Bible classes and religious radio shows. When Jess grows up she meets Melanie and their close friendship turns to passion - something that her horrified mother and local pastor believe is the work of the Devil, and they set out to take drastic action to save Jess from the evil temptation. This adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's bestselling novel won three BAFTA awards, including Best Actress (McEwan) and Best Drama Series.

Helen Mirren and Julia Walters star in this British comedy based on a true story. Two middle-aged best friends, Chris Harper (Mirren) and Annie Clarke (Walters), are also members of a North Yorkshire Women's Institute group. When Annie's husband (John Alderton) is diagnosed with leukemia, they decide to try and raise money for a new leukemia unit in the local hospital. But they don't go down the usual W.I. route. Instead they hit on the idea of a calendar with an extra twist and craft a tastefully nude calendar featuring the ladies' usual activities of baking, gardening and flower arranging. The calendar quickly becomes a best-seller and the women then find themselves on their way to Hollywood.

David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly star in this family comedy written and directed by Andy Hamilton. As Doug (Tennant), his wife Abi (Pike) and their three children prepare to travel up to the Scottish Highlands for Doug's father Gordie (Connolly)'s 75th birthday, they give their children a list of things that are to be kept secret, including the fact that daddy lives in a different house to mummy. While their offspring set about telling Grandpa the ins and outs of their lives down in London, including intimate details of arguments their parents have had, Doug and Abi try to put aside their differences and have an enjoyable weekend.

The complete Andrew Davies TV adaptation of Boris Pasternak's celebrated novel. During World War One, Yuri Zhivago (Hans Matheson) studies to become a doctor in Moscow. He marries his childhood sweetheart, Tonya (Alexandra Maria Lara), but is attracted to dressmaker's daughter Lara (Keira Knightley), herself engaged to young revolutionary Pasha (Kris Marshall) while also conducting an affair with government official Komarovsky (Sam Neill). Yuri and Lara's paths cross again in the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution, and the two begin a passionate affair.

Celia Imrie and Toby Jones star in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Gerald Durrell's much-loved comic gem. My Family and Other Animals is the classic tale of naturalist Gerald Durrell's magical 1930s childhood on pre-war Corfu. His descriptions of his eccentric family and his encounters with the local creatures are full of humour and charm, and the book has delighted readers of all ages for sixty years. Ten-year-old Gerry is the youngest member of the Durrell family, which also consists of Mother, pompous eldest son Larry, gun-mad second son Leslie, acne-ridden sister Margo, and Roger the dog. When they arrive in Corfu, Gerry is thrilled to find a paradise of exotic wildlife to be explored. Soon he is embarking on natural history expeditions, swimming in the clearblue sea and befriending the island's inhabitants.Gerry's relatives are less impressed with his exploits, especially when his burgeoning animal collection sparks chaos at the family's Christmas party... With a specially created soundtrack, this vivid adaptation takes the story out of the studio and into the Greek wilderness that enthralled Durrell the young naturalist. Duration: 2 hours approx.

David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly star in this family comedy written and directed by Andy Hamilton. As Doug (Tennant), his wife Abi (Pike) and their three children prepare to travel up to the Scottish Highlands for Doug's father Gordie (Connolly)'s 75th birthday, they give their children a list of things that are to be kept secret, including the fact that daddy lives in a different house to mummy. While their offspring set about telling Grandpa the ins and outs of their lives down in London, including intimate details of arguments their parents have had, Doug and Abi try to put aside their differences and have an enjoyable weekend.

John Madden directs this British comedy drama starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith. The film follows the experiences of a group of elderly Brits who arrive to take up residence in a newly-opened retirement home in Bangalore, India. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, the Marigold turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, it soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own.