Fiona Quaye
returnship coordinator
Practical; structure eases re-entry
Return to Work
Her skills are rusty, childcare costs more than she expected and her old employer offers a returnship.
Planned · not started yet
Work & careers Second chances Ambition Belonging Workplace Family home Hopeful Reflective
The premise
Her skills are rusty, childcare costs more than she expected and her old employer offers a returnship. Laila must rebuild technical confidence and negotiate the working life she actually wants.
The protagonist
Laila Brennan-Abiodun — Aerospace engineer returning after six years caring for her son
The council
Every council member is an original fictional character. None represents, quotes or is endorsed by a real person.
Max Okoro-Hill
technical recruiter
Direct; lead with skills, not the gap
Pippa Grantham
career coach
Supportive; confidence follows small wins
How the story moves
One year back at work; an early project failure becomes the moment she proves herself.
What readers take away
- How returnships work
- Updating technical skills
- Explaining a career gap
- Flexible-working requests and the law
- Childcare costs and support
- Negotiating hours and responsibilities
- Rebuilding confidence
- Planning career progression after return
- Prepare a skills-refresh plan
- Use keeping-in-touch arrangements
- Negotiate a phased return
- Plan childcare emergencies
The books
- 1The gap Planned
- 2The returnship Planned
- 3Flexible working Planned
- 4A year back Planned
Book titles are working titles and may change before publication. No book is on sale until the complete series is finished, checked and released.