Carmel Duffy is the eldest child of a brutal and abusive marriage, and she can't wait to leave home. She's equally determined to have no husband or family of her own-what she wants more than anything is to be a nurse. As soon as she turns eighteen, she heads for Birmingham and begins her training. However, her resolve is tested when Dr Paul Connolly comes onto her ward. Gradually he wins her heart, and they agree to marry, both certain that they want no children. But World War Two's years of courage and devastation will change everything. Carmel will find that the future is very different to the one she thought she wanted for so long..