Losing her husband just before WWII shattered May Sheppard's dreams of having a family. Her life is transformed by the arrival of Cliff, an evacuee from the city who has never known a loving home. Already struggling with the hardships and deprivations of wartime Britain, May must now fight prejudice and defend Cliff against vindictive locals. She finds her strength stretched to breaking point when she is caught unawares by a manipulating visitor. May and Cliff dread the day evacuees must be returned to their parents. If Cliff is sent back, the boy who longs for her to become his new mum will disappear from May's life for ever.