With the Great War still raw in the memory and a living wage ever harder to find, the 1920s are hardly proving a bright new era for the mining families of Whitton Grange. And, as the burden of caring for the Kirkup family falls more heavily on her, young Louie Kirkup worries that she is doomed to become a spinster drudge, forever at the beck and call of her pitmen father and brothers. Until, that is, she sees 'Red' Sam Ritson, hard, muscled and with all the dignity of a natural leader, climb into the boxing ring at the Durham miners' gala. But, wedded to his battle to maintain his fellow miners' rights against the ruthless encroachments of pit owner Reginald Seward-Scott, Sam is hardly an ideal husband and, as the tension increases, Louie knows life with him is sure to be dominated by a struggle against those more powerful than he. As the General Strike looms and Louie tries desperately to make a family home for Sam and their longed-for child, her fears prove to be well founded...