A story of family obligations and affairs of the heart, Waldene - Love in the Shadows is a memoir of secret love. Blending real-life, poetry and love letters this romantic memoir delightfully mixes humour, tenderness, bliss and misery while exposing the power of love to endure against all odds. Sue Gunningham lost her love, Barry, in the tragic Black Saturday fires in Kinglake, Victoria in 2009. This story is the prequel to her acclaimed memoir, All the Days After, which follows the aftermath of losing Barry and their cherished Waldene. 'We wandered out to the front porch so I could see the spectacle of the stars in the ink-black sky and hear the creek rushing along the valley. We stood perfectly still listening. Standing behind me, Barry reached across my shoulder to point out the direction of the creek. I could smell the wool of his jumper and feel the brush of his arm against my back. His large hand and strong fingers stretched out in front of me. It was a struggle to refocus my senses; to listen for the creek. Almost too scared to breathe, I could hear my heart beating, hear Barry listening, and sense him behind me, watching.'