Bill Bailey's Lot is the second book in a trilogy and while it doesn't have to be read in order, the characters might make more sense if you do read the first one.From the cover:
Bill Bailey, the rugged Liverpudlian, was now a fully fledged Tyneside building contractor, as staunchly loyal to his squad of workmen as they were to him. He had also met and married Fiona, a young widow with her own lovable family, to which she and Bill shortly added by adoption the orphaned Mamie.
Life might be good but the economic climate was growing distinctly cloudy and it was vital that Bill land a contract for a major development scheme. Competition was fierce, and when his men came under attack, Bill was sure that someone was out to spoil their chances for the job.
You can find a list of Catherine Cookson novels (she was a prolific writer) here.
