THE COPPER BEECH Shancarrig School stands in the shade of a glorious old copper beech whose colours tell the passing of the seasons and the years: a tree that has watched over many young lives . . . Under Junior Assistant Mistress Maddy Ross's careful gaze the children play. There's Maura Brennan, a bundle of fun from the rough end of town, and leap year baby Eddie Barton, the apple of his mother's eye. Then there's Nessa Ryan, who little realises as she carves a name at the roots of the copper beech on the very last day of school, that she'll get a lot more from one of her schoolmates than her first shy kiss. A WEEK IN WINTER Set high on the cliffs on the west coast of Ireland, overlooking the windswept Atlantic Ocean, is Stone House. Once falling into disrepair, it is now a beautiful hotel specialising in winter holidays - and provides a welcome few can resist, whatever their reasons for coming. Henry and Nicola are burdened with a terrible secret, and are hoping the break at Stone House will help them find a way to face the future. Winnie, generally one to make the best of things, finds herself on the holiday from hell. Then there's the silent, watchful Nell, who seems so ready to disapprove. But looks can be deceptive . . .