Born in 1941, the child of an evacuee, Ema's birthplace was The Manor House in St Neot's, Huntingdonshire. Raised in London, Ema believes that she owes her great love of the countryside to the times spent with her beloved grandparents whilst hop-picking in the Kentish hopgardens; those few weeks each year were Ema's greatest joy. Educated at convent schools in East London Ema will always owe a debt of gratitude to the beloved Mothers of the Ursuline Order. Their ultimate care, guidance and encouragement are with her always. Her first employment, at the age of sixteen, was as secretary with companies situated in the City of London where, with her love of words, she soon became involved in the writing and editing of Company Publications. After the births of her four children the family relocated to Pitsea, Essex. It was then that Ema vowed - one day she would write a story reflecting life in the 1950s and 60s for one-parent families.