Liverpool 1936 Miranda & her mother Arabella live comfortably in a nice area. But when her mother tells her she can no longer afford their present lifestyle they have a blazing row & Miranda goes to bed angry & upset. When she wakes the next morning however her mother has disappeared. She raises the alarm but everyone is baffled & when searches fail to discover Arabella's whereabouts Miranda is forced to live with her Aunt Vi & cousin Beth who resent her presence & treat her badly. Miranda is miserable but when she meets a neighbour Steve things begin to look up & Steve promises to help his new friend in her search & does so until war intervenes.