When country doctor's daughter Diana Poultney becomes pregnant by haulier's son Bradley Armstrong, she marries him against the wishes of her parents, who feels she has ruined her life. Cut off by her family and friends, a defiant Diana devotes herself to being a good wife to Bradley and an adoring mother to their baby son. Though life is hard in the remote Weardale cottage they have restored as their home, they are happy together. But when tragedy strikes, their lives fall apart. Then the coming of the Second World War offers her a way out. Bradley joins the army and his father, short of men to work for him, calls on Diana to help with the haulage business. A woman in a man's world, she finds unexpected resources in herself, a place in the community, new friends, a new purpose in life. The war has brought her happiness and independence. But can they survive the return of peace - and will Bradley come back into her life?