Running away from heartache and scandal, Tessa Barcussy flees Cornwall to London in search of freedom, excitement and a new life. But the city is not what she is expecting. Soon enough Tessa is on the streets, sleeping rough, scared and at her lowest ebb. Two very different people come into Tessa's life at this point, promising to help her change her fortunes - but only one of them is telling her the truth. And when tragedy strikes back home in the West Country, and her past and present collide, can Tessa find the strength to face everything she ran away from?