An Inch of Love, An Inch of Ashesis the story of an anguished search by a woman for a meaningful and productive life. But how can Calinda Carruthers truly loveanyone when all she knows is betrayal and abuse of trust? As a child, she longs for her father, Frankie. He deserted her mother, Hazel, when he ran off with a dancer from Bobby Le Bruns travelling tent show. Calinda's great ambition in life is to find him.By taking her to a dodgy screen test whenthe girl is only thirteen, Hazel sets Calinda up for a sad life. As a grownup her troubles intensify when she is referred to psychiatrist, Dr Hal Hatter, who compounds her problems.