Nell Whitaker is fifteen when war breaks out and her mother sends her to live with her Auntie Kath in a remote farmhouse on Anglesey. Nell is furious; the last thing she wants to do is leave Liverpool and it's not long before she realises her aunt is none too pleased with the arrangement either. At first Nell hates the hard life on Anglesey, but her friendship with Bryn, who works on the farm whilst waiting for his call-up papers, helps a lot. So when he leaves to join his ship, Nell is counts the days to his return. But her heart is broken when news reaches her that Bryn's ship has been bombed and he has been drowned. Determined to bury her grief in hard work, Nell finds herself growing closer to Auntie Kath, whose harsh attitude hides a kind heart. Despite their new closeness, however, Nell dare not question her aunt about the photograph of a young soldier she discovered in the attic. As time passes, the women learn to help each other through the rigours of war.

Then Nell meets Bryn's friend Hywel, and begins to believe that she, too, may find love.