The Wiltshire Girls

It is 1910 and life in Wiltshire is far from pleasant for Mattie Willitt and her sisters. Bullied by her stepfather, who attempts to force her into an unwelcome marriage, Mattie decides her only hope for happiness is to run away. With nowhere else to go, Mattie stays with Jacob and the two of them grow close. Their relationship is complicated by Emily Newington, the elderly landowner, who wishes to protect her property from her greedy cousin.

After being driven from home by their brutal father, the Willett sisters find themselves facing greater heartache in the wider world. Nell, the middle daughter, has left home to be with her lover, Cliff, fearing what reprisals might come from marrying against her father's wishes. The couple head for Lancashire, but Nell's happiness is short-lived. A gypsy palm-reader tells her she will find her destiny under 'three big trees on a hill', and her luck does seem to change when she meets Gil, a farmer and a gentleman who she can't help but feel drawn to.

Sisters Mattie, Nell and Renie have all managed to escape their oppressive and bullying father, but now separated, the girls must draw upon their strength and courage to build new lives for themselves. Renie, the youngest sister, is living with Nell, happy in her waitressing job at the King's Head Hotel. But a shadow falls over her the day Mr Judson arrives as assistant manager. Feeling increasingly harassed by him and also eager to escape from Nell's unpleasant husband, Renie is delighted when she is offered a new job in London.