It is 1962. The Beatles have released 'Love Me Do' and John Glenn has orbited the Earth. But in this pit village in County Durham, everyone is looking back towards the traditions of the past . . . Except, that is, for Gloria, the local hair stylist. With her narrowskirts, low block heels and her Mini Cooper, Gloria is a modern woman -until she's found dead, floating in the coal-polluted shallows of a nearby pond. Gloria's young niece, Kathleen, finds the body but refuses to accept the suicide explanation embraced by the village. Gloria was optimistic and strong - she had everything to live for. Twelve-year-old Kathleen is shy and innocent but she keeps her eyes open, takes photographs with her Box Brownie camera and tries to work out what has happened. For under its surface monotony, the village is concealing a depth of secrets. And in doing so embarks upon her own journey of discovery.