The Promise By Emma Heatherington

‘The Promise’ is the latest book by Emma Heatherington.

One terrible moment changes everything for teenagers Kate and David. Brought together during the darkest of times, a spark of hope is ignited between them – a hand held in the darkness, a promise whispered. Neither of them will ever forget those moments. It’s another ten years before David and Kate meet once more, and their lives are now so different. The promise they made to each other on that fateful day still binds them, but now they have so much more to lose. With so much at stake, have they missed their once chance at happiness? They only way they will ever know is to risk everything to be together. Is that too high a price to pay for love?

The latest book by Emma is a sad and tender love story, about being in the wrong place at the wrong time but finding the right person to be with. Seen through the narrative of Kate Foley and David Campbell, they are bound together when they are both caught up in a bomb attack in their local town. Both experience a strong connection with each other and Kates vows to see David again when he’s taken away in ambulance. Many years later they are reunited and their feelings are strong but they are both in relationships and moved on and unable to fight the strong bond that they have developed.

I started this book last night and right from the start, I had an uncomfortable sensation reading it, as it brought back haunting memories of Northern Ireland from a day that people are still seeking justice for. Like, many others I remember the day that the Omagh bomb off, I was in the markets in Dundalk getting a necklace with my name on it. The hush as the radio reported the explosion and everyone pulled their loved ones closer and the television footage of the people climbing from the wreckages.

This book brought it all back and Emma paints vividly the fear and anguish and how it blew lives apart but also brought people together as everyone wanted peace. The divide between Protestants and Catholics as well as the attitudes that had manifested from generation to generation. I lived through it and still to do this day it baffles me.

For me this is a love story that is like no other, whether it’s because it’s set on my doorstep or because I could have been Kate, I felt a deep connection with Kate and as the book progresses, I wished for the kind and sweet woman to get her happy ever after.

The story is seen through the narrative of Kate and David, Kate is Catholic and is seen to be from the wrong side of the tracks, whilst David’s father is Reverend and looks down on people, particularly Catholic’s and this does make for realistic and upsetting reading in parts. The story is written over a period of time as the pair become closer and try to battle feelings, But as David is in a relationship, I had conflicting feelings over this, as I wanted him to be true and not lead Kate on, who had essentially paused her life for him.

‘The Promise’ is like a modern day, ‘Love Across The Barricades’ and Emma beautifully wrote the hardship that Northern Ireland has had to face for many decades and proved that no matter the religion, all lives were changed that day. A story of hope, courage and new beginnings, this book is tremendously written, haunting and relatable.

You can pre-order your copy of ‘The Promise’ from Amazon and is also available from Eason from 14th October 2021.