Step into 1940s London: The Setting of Wherever You Will Go

In just four days, Wherever You Will Go will be published, and I’ll be taking readers on a journey through a vivid, often overlooked corner of London history. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War and its aftermath, this story unfolds in East London—specifically Stepney—at a time when the city was scarred by bombing, shaped by resilience, and stirred by the quiet courage of those too often forgotten by history.

A City Under Siege: London During the Blitz

Researching wartime London was central to building an authentic setting for Wherever You Will Go. Stepney, in the East End, was one of the areas most heavily bombed during the Blitz. The air raids transformed entire neighbourhoods into rubble. Families spent nights in damp, crowded air raid shelters, emerging in the mornings unsure of what would be left standing. These were ordinary people living through extraordinary times, and I wanted to reflect that reality as accurately as possible.

The streets I describe in the book—some real, some imagined—carry the scent of coal smoke and the sound of distant sirens. The Dockman’s Arms, a fictional pub in the novel, stands among this landscape, offering a brief respite from the chaos outside. It’s a gathering place, a symbol of survival, and a key location in the story.

Post-War London: Rations, Rebuilding, and Racial Tensions

Even after the war ended, Londoners continued to endure hardship. Food and clothing remained rationed well into the late 1940s, and the promise of peace didn’t mean an easy life for everyone. The city bore physical and emotional wounds, and for many, especially those who had arrived from the colonies to support the war effort, the post-war years brought a new set of challenges.

West Indian soldiers, like many from across the British Empire, played a vital role during the war—fighting bravely for a country that too often failed to acknowledge their service. In Wherever You Will Go, I explore the silence around these contributions and the quiet dignity of the men and women who persevered despite discrimination and erasure.

Stepney: A Community Rebuilt

Stepney itself was transformed by war. Entire streets were razed by bombs, and the area underwent massive redevelopment in the years that followed. I’ve done my best to reflect the damage and the early rebuilding efforts with accuracy and care. The tenement buildings, the makeshift housing, and the lingering signs of war are not just a backdrop—they’re part of the emotional fabric of the characters' lives.

Why This Setting Matters

I chose this setting not just for historical interest but because it echoes the emotional journey of the characters. It’s about starting again when everything seems broken, about holding onto hope in the shadow of loss, and about carving out a place in a world that doesn't always make room for you.

My novel, Wherever You Will Go is coming out on 17th June. I can’t wait for you to meet the characters and walk the streets they walked—some imagined, some real, all shaped by the history that lives on beneath London’s surface.

Have you ever visited East London or heard family stories from the war years? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.