A tale based loosely in reality, this story traces the fortunes of the Ingles family in the West Riding coal fields around Wakefield. In this second volume, Jack's cosy, happy and well-planned existence is shaken by several devastating events from which he can foresee no recovery. His chosen path into adult life becomes all the more difficult because of it, and makes him realise how hard it can be to make the right decisions. The decisions he does make have far-reaching ramifications for him and for those around him.