A life full of shattered hopes... Brenda ODonnell is turned out by her family when she finds herself pregnant at sixteen. Widowed Sid Rawlins the rag-&-bone man says she can come & live with him & he will give her child a name in return for her running his home & looking after his children. Despite the gossip a desperate Brenda has little choice but to accept. Life isnt easy for Brenda & little Ruby but they try make the best of things. Until Brenda falls in love with Sids eldest son Danny & their affair causes trouble within the family. & when Sid dies & leaves the business to his cousin Charlie life becomes even harder for Brenda as she faces the threat of losing everything she holds dear...