"You can hear the sound of bagpipes inside! The smugglers must have hidden their stolen goods in there!"
It was September 1, 1939. World War II had begun for Great Britain with thousands and thousands of children being evacuated from the large cities to the countryside to escape the bombings and begin a new life living with "borrowed parents".
Twelve-year old Joe Anderson finds himself evacuated to a small coastal village in the southwest of Scotland. His best friend is an old sea captain. He has other friends, evacuees just like him. They become involved in all kinds of mischief, including dismantling a live bomb and collecting birds' eggs on the floating islands where one wrong step could send them through the island and trap them down under the water.
Quirky characters and suspicious happenings make them realize that something sinister is going on in Rockcliffe and they aim to find out what it is!
The prisoners of war, black-outs, bombings and rationing of food and clothing play a big part in their lives. The war is a constant reminder to Joe and his friends that there is danger and uncertainty even in Rockcliffe.
Sandra Anderson was born in the United States, but spent many years abroad, where she met her future husband, Joe, who was from Glasgow, Scotland. Rockcliffe was inspired by his story. In 2007, Joe Anderson will be 80 years old, the same as Cap'n Bee was when Joe was a child. Sandra and Joe plan to take their children and grandchildren back to Rockcliffe to celebrate Joe's birthday. The Andersons currently live in Reno, Nevada.