It's not everyday of the week that a girl from Muckadilla comes to Brisbane to join the Navy, but it's World War II and Lulla Riddel can see herself in those Navy whites. However, she promptly discovers that they can't use short-sighted strawberry blondes, so it's just as well the Brisbane Manpower Committee can . . .
While lacquering hand grenades in a munitions factory is far from Lulla's dream, she soon meets the warm hearted Janet and practical Peggy on the factory floor. The three friends are young and ready for fun in the charged atmosphere of war-time Brisbane, where high adventure is only a tram-fare away. Servicemen are pouring into town, and the old rules don't apply – there's no time for courtships, but there's certainly time for romance. Lulla secretly prefers one infuriatingly cocky Australian sailor, but that won't stop her enjoying some of the other handsome young men in town . . .
Vividly capturing this colourful chapter in Australia's history, Time Out for Living evokes an uncertain and exciting world full of sailors and soldiers, brawls and seduction, dancing and romance.
