Sara Hamilton loves Jack Andews from the moment he risks his life to rescue her. As she nurses him back to health, the gently-reared doctor's daughter and the softly-spoken railway labourer discover an innocent yet steadfast passion.

But Sara's snobbish sister Alice hates Jack and all he stands for. When their father dies and leaves the sisters penniless and homeless, Alice is the one who decides they will go to Liverpool and make their fortunes as dressmakers. And ensures that Jack will never find Sara Hamilton again.

Soon they have found the security that Alice craves. But then Jack Andrews - now a successful railway engineer - comes to Liverpool. And Sara, who has never forgotten him, has grown from a shy girl to a passionate woman with a mind of her own.