Mornings with Rosemary

Mornings with Rosemary follows the relationship between Kate Matthews, a twentysomething reporter who has recently moved to Brixton, London, and Rosemary Peterson, an eighty-six-year-old lifelong swimmer. Kate feels isolated in her new life, working on forgettable stories for her local paper, until she is assigned to write about the closure of the lido—an outdoor pool threatened by a local housing developer. Rosemary has lived in Brixton her entire life and has swum at the lido daily since its opening. The pool holds deep significance for her: it provided escape during World War II, was where she fell in love with her husband George, and became central to her sense of community. As Kate writes her portrait of the lido, she focuses increasingly on Rosemary. Through their growing friendship, both women experience unexpected transformation and nourishment. The novel explores intergenerational friendship, community, and love across generations, examining themes of aging, loss, and connection. Originally published as The Lido, this debut novel captures the heart and spirit of a community facing change.