Charlie Sanderson

Warwickshire, 1875. Emerald Pritchard has lived a privileged life with her parents and her younger sister Abigail in the stately Astley House on the outskirts of Nuneaton. But all that suddenly changes when her father disappears, leaving the family in debt. They are forced to throw themselves on the mercy of Emerald's uncle, who begrudgingly allows them a small cottage within the grounds of his farm. Desperate to find work, Emerald is forced to travel...

Lottie Brooks goes on holiday and gets her very first boyfriend.

Nuneaton, 1850. Growing up on a canal boat has meant life for young Saffie Doyle has been hard. Her mother, Olivia, was cast out by her family when she fell in love with Saffie's father, a lowly boatman named Reuben. But as the years passed, Reuben has become a bitter and cruel drunk, forced to work for local crook Seth Black. Saffie dreamed of becoming a teacher, despite her father's insistence that she had no need to read and write. Keen to nurture...

Pious young Grace Kettle escapes the world of her unsavoury and bullying father to train to be a nun. But when she meets the dashing and devout Father Luke her world is turned upside down. Her faith is tested and she is driven to make a scandalous and life-changing choice - one she may well spend the rest of her days seeking forgiveness for.

18-year-old Flora Butler is going up in the world. She has the prized position of lady's maid to young Constance Ogilvie, and is able to provide for her beloved parents and four younger siblings. She has even fallen in love, and though she does not feel quite ready to marry the charming Jamie Branning, her future seems clear. But Flora's life is turned upside down when her mistress's father dies in a tragic accident. Connie is forced to move to New...

1885. Ruby Carter works hard in her parents' bakery. Whilst life isn't easy, she's happy enough - her gentle mother protects young Ruby from her cruel father and loves her unconditionally. So, when her mother falls ill, Ruby is heartbroken and when, from her deathbed, her mother reveals that Ruby was adopted the young girl is distraught. Stricken by grief and alone with the violent man she called her father, Ruby feels she has no choice but to flee....

Nuneaton, 1875. Lily Moon, the local miner's daughter, spends her days as a parlour maid for Lord and Lady Bellingham at Oakley Manor, on the outskirts of Nuneaton. She's always been happy with her lot in life, and never expected more. But one day, everything changes when she temporarily becomes lady's maid to the Bellingham's daughter, Arabella, who is pregnant with the illegitimate child of her lover, and about to be unhappily married off to a man...

Nuneaton, 1935. Kathy has grown up at Treetops home for children, where Sunday and Tom Branning have always cared for her as one of their own. She enjoys her life at Treetops Manor, surrounded by her beloved horses, and with a future as a nurse ahead of her, she could wish for nothing more. But when Tom dies suddenly in a riding accident, life at Treetops will never be the same again. Kathy is distraught, and Sunday, overwhelmed by grief, leaves the...

Growing up in extreme poverty in London, Pearl thinks life can get no worse. But when her parents discover there's yet another baby on the way, they have to tighten the belt even further. Pearl's mother decides to send her and her younger sister Eliza to the workhouse, where they are forced into a new life of hardship and struggle. Pearl's hopes are raised when the workhouse offers the sisters a new life in Canada, and they board an orphan ship transporting...

Camberwell, 1910. Just when things are going right for aspiring artist Daisy, a dramatic change of family fortune means she must leave the job she loves at theatrical scenery company and head to Devon. Only the silver bangle she wears on her wrist brings comfort, reminding her of Harry, who once promised her his heart. In Devon, life is very different. Lodging with her uncle, she finds herself thrust into life at his busy tavern, scrubbing and washing....