Like millions of women, Lillian Kirkby has been left a widow after the brutal Battle of the Somme. She has held on to her home, and the things that symbolised her marriage as long as she can. Now, as she waits to receive her Widow's pension, she has taken in washing to make ends meet. A brief respite as she stands and shares a cigarette with her practical and forthright neighbour leads to a decision about how she is going to carry on.