In 1920s, after her father's death, Ellie Douglas has little option but to go into service. Her carefree days by the side of the Forth and Clyde canal are over. Her employers, the Taits, appear to be the perfect family, but the household is alive with tensions, none greater than those between Evander, the son of the house, and his father. Ellie's life is dominated by two men. Her friendship with Evander Tait is frowned upon by his family and the bond she shares with Frank Rafferty, a member of one of Glasgow's notorious gangs, is misunderstood by everyone Ellie knows. Both relationships, for very different reasons, threaten to tear her apart. She must make the right choices, but will she be strong enough?