Sarah comes from a middleclass family and against all opposition she marries Dan, a young miner, who she has fallen deeply in love with. Dan and Sarah share the same ambitions for their first child, Rob, but after his tragic death she is unable todemonstrate the love that she gave him to her other children. The Charlton family, their friends, and their neighbours face many years of hardship and Sarah's life is filled with sorrow but after the birth of her illegitimate granddaughter, Meg, Sarah once more experiences the joy and love she shared with Rob. Meg faces many hurdles throughout her life but through her success, and that of her family, Sarah's ambitions for her first child are finally fulfilled .