It is New Year's Eve 1936 when Wesley Battersby leaves his pretty wife Amy to go and live with Clara Marsden.

Ashamed and frightened, Amy struggles with loneliness and hardship while Wesley is spending his money on buying the love of the flighty Clara. But Amy's warmth and vitality win her friends who give her renewed courage and confidence. And when the frivolous Clara leaves Wesley in search of a wealthier replacement, he realises his foolish mistake and returns home, but to a woman changed almost beyond recognition.