Fiction Pick of the Week: Good to a Fault

Good to a fault by Marina Endicott 2008

What’s the liability when an insurance agent drives into another car? Middle-aged and unhappy, Clara Purdy faces this issue when she drives her vehicle into the car belonging to the Gage family. Two parents, three children and one grandmother climb out of the vehicle. No one seems to be seriously hurt but when they reach the hospital the mother, Lorraine, is found to have late stage lymphoma.
Clara takes on the family. She opens her doors and takes in the children and grandmother while the husband departs. Clara’s quiet nine-to-five life is transformed into a chaotic round of meals, cleaning and visits to the hospital. Where does the responsibility end – and does she want it to?