Jean and Vi are twins but couldn't be more different Jean's proud of her honest, hardworking husband and their children, but there's never a penny to spare Vi's equally proud of her husband's new role as a local councillor and their elegant new house, and has raised her children to expect the best As war breaks out, agonising decisions must be faced Should the oldest children enlist? Should the youngest be evacuated? All the traditional certainties are overturned Then the twins' own younger sister, singer Francine, returns home unexpectedly and stirs up the past, even in the midst of present danger