' Dad it's the happiest day of my life ' Kate said. 'I wish time would stand still & it could be today forever.' It's June 1897 & Kate is celebrating her eleventh birthday on the day of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Kate's joy is short-lived as tragedy strikes threatening her family with the loss of all they hold dear. Before long they are evicted from their home in Ancoats Manchester & with no wages coming in & a mother unable to cope Kate has to grow up fast. Her deepest desire is to keep her brothers & sisters together. A journey of hope & heartache takes Kate from the hardships of the workhouse to the dubious comforts of a position in service to the rich; from the joys of marriage to a good man to the sorrows & losses suffered during the Great War.