When 14-year-old Rebeccas parents die of smallpox she & her brother & sister must leave their smart home in Kent for the more poverty-stricken conditions in Londons East End. After initial trauma they adapt to poorer living conditions & grow to love the area. Five years on aged 19 Rebecca meets Jimmy Jackson born in Bow & now a successful bookmaker. They are attracted but when their relationship grows to love an old flame of Jimmys turns up producing a son he didnt know he had. Young James & Jimmy get on well his old flame decides to take herself off to enjoy her life without them & Rebecca & Jimmys relationship takes off again.