Sarah Scarse may be young but life in the notorious St Giles and St George's workhouse has forced her to grow up fast.
And after her mother's untimely death, Sarah's fighting spirit becomes her only defence against the workhouse master, Trigg, and his cruel wife.
Sarah's fate appears to change, however, when a sugar mill owner takes her into his home.
But just as Sarah starts working towards a brighter future, dangerous figures from the past threaten to catch up with her.
Can she draw on her determined resolve to finally confront her problems and free herself from the shackles of the workhouse, once and for all?