November 1929 and sixteen-year-old Eugenie Winford is looking forward to Christmas in her family's elegant Russell Square mansion. But shortly before the holidays Eugenie's world is shattered after she learns that her father has suddenly died.
Destitute, and desperate to escape the marriage her mother has arranged to save them, Eugenie runs away, changing her name and disguising herself as a servant.
Hiding in the rundown streets of Lambeth and struggling, like so many others, with poverty and hardship, she finds true kindness and even love there.
Yet little does Eugenie know she is hunted by her greedy blood relations - and a young man who hopes to save her . . .
Who will find her first? And can she ever return to the life she had before, even if she wanted to?