It’s 1920. Val Wilkinson is twenty-one and old enough to leave her uncomfortable home-life behind. She’s been planning this for a while, but on the morning of her departure, she meets Flora Downs, the new vicar’s wife. Flora is happy in her platonic marriage with her dear friend Tim and when she meets Val, she’s pleased to be able to offer her a place to stay in the vicarage whilst she finds her feet. Prompted by anonymous letters to his superior, Tim is having a spiritual crisis over his commitment to the church. He joined because he wanted to help people, despite his family, and his lover, Rupert, telling him he was an idiot. Rupert just wants everyone to be happy, however that happens.