Hildie Thompson is an eternal optimist, but even her indomitable sense of humour is shaken when war is declared. Hildie's war, however, is a fight to the last to support her family and friends who are battling wars of their own. An unhappy marriage, an illicit love affair, infidelity, a pit disaster and a murder all within that one little mining family just about knocks Hildie off her perch. But, through it all, she must submerge her own lost secret dreams and make the best of things. Then, when her famous 'lovely day tomorrow' finally dawns, she receives a mysterious letter that could change her whole life. But would it be for better or for worse?