The Edwardian era is ending and in Chester a young maid, Emma, strives to keep her head above water, as poverty threatens to engulf her and her family. A chance meeting with another young servant, Alice, who is struggling to escape her violent and unhappy past, introduces Emma to the Waters household and the demanding young Victoria who is passionately involved in the embryonic Suffragette Movement. As Emma and Alice become closer, Emma learns of Alice's destructive and deranged ex-fiancé Bert, and it soon becomes apparent that the two girls lives may be linked in more ways than one. Just as she has found a love of her own, Emma is drawn into a dangerous situation, which threatens her newfound happiness.