A historical tale of sacrifice, folly and passion, from a much-loved author - 1907, County Durham. Lorna Robson works long and tiring hours in her aunt's hat shop. Although she tries not to complain, the genteel poverty they live in depresses her. But when she discovers that a relation has left her a large but dilapidated property, her aunt is strangely furious, and they part on bad terms. Lorna knows she can never return. However, it is only when she sees Snow Hall that her situation truly dawns on her: selling the house is unthinkable, but how can she survive without money or friends?