In the small Yorkshire town of Cottenly — dominated by the steel works and surrounded by beautiful countryside — Isaac Stanford lives with his wife Emily and their three lovely daughters, known locally as the Stanford lasses. Alice, the eldest, lives only for her work as a secretary and chapel on Sunday. Fair and loving Lizzie is content with her job making umbrellas — until she falls in love. And headstrong Ruth, the merry one, is intent upon marrying a handsome charmer despite warnings from friends and family.

Already emotionally damaged by a traumatic childhood, Alice struggles to lead a normal life. Poor but happy with her ever-increasing family, the onset of war means Lizzie must face the threat of losing all she holds dear. And Ruth soon realises she has made a terrible mistake in her marriage as she becomes trapped in a life of poverty and violence. As the years pass, each sister is forced to confront her greatest challenge…