Two teenage girls from opposite sides of the tracks in 1960s Midlands England are forced into prostitution in this engrossing tale of loss, liberty, and love.

Weep at the relationship between clever Janet and spoiled Priscilla, as their handsome, young English teacher, Mr Edwards - and his corrupting father - become embroiled in their tortuous journeys.

But then a smart heroine Tara fatefully enters the fray on a secret detective mission.

Dramatic and topical events include a city-slum killing, police malfeasance, newspaper-business bribery, emotional blackmail, destitute homelessness, and a mountaineering adventure.

This saga combines a socio-political struggle by the under-privileged against repression, with both feminine and asexual insights into love, to produce a thought-provoking, yet stylishly old-fashioned, romantic rollercoaster.