Shepherd's Bush Summary

May, an underpaid hotel manager in Dublin, Ireland, who finds herself pregnant by her boss, Andy, and flies to London for a secret abortion. She stays with Celia, a judgmental but reliable acquaintance, who puts her in touch with Dr. Harris, who refers her to a surgeon, Mr. White. Determining that May has thought through her decision, White schedules the procedure. May rooms with Helen (Hell) Adams, a return customer who calms her nerves and insists that she tell Andy the truth. May returns early to Dublin working on her alibi and knowing that she will not mention the abortion.

Shepherd's Bush Analysis

"Shepherd's Bush" deals in a frank manner with abortion. Placing it at the beginning of the collection of stories signals that the volume will not skirt controversy, and women in affairs with married men is a common theme...