Mary Vale, a grand and imposing Mother and Baby Home, sists on the edge of Morecombe Bay. Its doors are open to unmarried women, desperate to hide their condition and find sanctuary.
Women from all walks of life pass through Mary Vale, from beautiful waitress Emily, whose boyfriend has vanished without trace, to disgraced Isla, cast out by her wealthy family.
Awaiting them are Nurse Ada and Sister Anne, who work tirelessly to aid the mothers and safely deliver the babies. Especially as war looms. But the Home's unforgiving Matron and its Governor, Sir Percival, have other, more sinister, ideas....