Annie Clancy's father hates her - but why? She slaves to keep house for him and her five younger brothers, keeping the family going on a few shillings a week, unloved, uncherished frequently knocked senseless. Then Laurie Yates, the travelling man, joins their household. He can read palms and traces Annie's most secret dreams. But he does not stay to see her dreams turn into nightmares. Set in Lancashire in 1901, the book chronicles the struggles of a lone woman fighting her way to happiness against all odds.