The novel opens up with sirens, bombs, and war all over Battersea, South London in September 1940. Chapter 1 introduces the main characters, Hilda and her nine-year-old daughter Ellen. They were living in chaos, hiding from the bombs and trying to get away from bombs until one day Hilda's parents died and her house got destroyed so her friend took her in. Her friend, Mabel, lived in an untouched and unbombed area. She was staying with Mabel until she was gonna find another place. She felt lonely and devastated now that her parents are gone.
Chapter 2 shows that Hilda sent a letter to a friend who lived in Somerset saying that she wanted to send her daughter to stay with her due to the spontaneous bombs, which are causing Ellen's devastation and dreadful state. The housing officer got Hilda to think about moving too. Mabel was against it
at first but then understood when she learned that Ellen's school was closing up and after she heard little Ellen asking her mother not to leave her. Hilda was sure that her friend in Somerset, Gertie would take them in. Hilda was positive that after the war she was going to come back home, to London.
In chapter 3, Hilda and Ellen moved in a train to Somerset where they had Gertie, a tall,big-boned woman, waiting for them. They rode in Gertie's cart which was driven by a horse, called Ned. On the way to Gertie's place, Hilda learns that Gertie lives in a middle of nowhere and that she is lonely and bitter. Hilda asks her about her ex-girlfriend and Gertie feels a bit of hatred towards people because after she have done so much for Susan, all she was kept behind, all alone in a secluded place to stay. After a long, long drive from the village, they finally got to a small cottage. Ellen gets to know the animals around the cottage and she loves them. Gertie showed Hilda her room. Hilda sees her daughter's delight and feels safe at last.
