Norfolk, 1920. Barbara Bosgrove has lived in the market town of Melsham all her life, and is looking forward to the annual Harvest Supper dinner and ball – the first since the dark days of the First World War.

George Kennett, a fiercely ambitious man, has had his eye on Barbara since spotting her with her great friend Penny, and Penny's brother Simon. He begins a slow and steady courtship and Barbara is eventually won over, agreeing to marry a man she believes she can rely on. Little does she realise how wrong she can be. Worn down by George's unfaithfulness during their marriage, Barbara feels she has lost all the vitality of her youth.

But Simon is not prepared to let Barbara lose sight of the woman she really is – the woman he has always loved. He reawakens Barbara's passion and fighting spirit, but at what cost?