It is 1915 and Nelly and Lieutenant George Sarratt have recently married. After a blissful but brief honeymoon in the Lake District, George is posted to the Front in northern France. Nelly stays on in the Lake District with her older and controlling sister, Bridget. They meet some well to do people, including Sir William Farrell, his friend Captain Marsworth and his sister, Cicely. News comes from France that George is ‘missing, believe killed’ in action. The story continues, exploring the fortunes and changing relationships of these people as the war drags on and there is no definite news of George’s fate. (Summary by Simon Evers)