Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchey

Maeve Binchey knows how to tell a good story. Or shall we say several intertwined good stories. In Minding Frankie, Noel is sort of drifting through life, working at a dead-end job, living at home and drinking too much. Then 2 big events happen. Cousin Emily from America comes to visit and a woman he vaguely remembers sleeping with calls him from her hospital bed to tell him she's dying, pregnant--and he's the father. The Frankie of the title is the baby daughter he suddenly finds himself raising--along with the help of Emily and the rest of the neighborhood. They all band together against the busybody social worker who is determined to prove Noel is an unfit father and put Frankie in a "better" home.
As in all Maeve Binchey books, there are plenty of sweet moments, sad moments, and funny moments. Minding Frankie and a hot cup of tea, what a wonderful way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.