The year is 1891. Ada Elverson is fourteen years old and lives with her family at The Late Elephant, a coaching inn on the outskirts of the small village of Swepstone in Leicestershire. The household is in turmoil, as it is her sister Jess's wedding day. The whole village turns out to attend the church service at St. Peter's, returning to the inn for a day of revelry. One week later, and with mixed feelings at leaving behind the love of her life, Ada makes her first journey by steam train. She joins the Ludlam family at Glenfield Mill to begin an apprenticeship as a cook. Unknown to her, the inn is no longer profitable and her parents decide to leave. Ada is devastated by the news, and finds that her new life holds some shocking challenges.