After losing her husband in the war, Susan Parish has, in the succeeding years, managed to find a measure of happiness and contentment in bringing up their young son in the quiet seclusion of the country. Resigned to a tranquil if somewhat shadowy existence as one of so many young widows, she is unaware that fate is poised to take a hand. Far from being allowed to spend the rest of her life alone, without loving or being loved, it is meant that Susan should fall in love again...

But the man in question -- despite returning her love -- is in no position to offer her true happiness. Gareth Everett is married, and his wife is one of Susan's best friends. Worse, her son Teddy has developed a kind of hero-worship for Gareth and their close proximity as next-door neighbours means there is no space to keep them apart. Dare she risk giving her heart to this man when every instinct tells her to let him go?