1945: The war in Europe is over, and most women can't wait for their men to return. But in the small town of Rivenshaw in Lancashire, Judith Crossley fears having her husband back in the house. Before Doug left for the war, he'd become a bully and a drunkard, and on the few occasions he'd come home on leave, he'd hit her and the children. Judith has found an unlikely ally in Maynard, only son of the aristocratic Esher family - but she knows that when Doug returns, she and her children will be back in the firing line again. So she decides they must leave. But with the house rented in Doug's name and other accommodation scarce, where on earth can they go...?