It is 1939 and war is looming on the horizon, but for nine-year-old Maisie Jackson, abused by her cruel step-brother and mercilessly tormented by her step-father, evacuation represents a longed-for-chance of freedom. As the small town of Middlebeck in the Yorkshire dales prepares for the arrival of the evacuees, the villagers ponder how they will cope with this sudden influx of visitors, but they are all determined to pull together and welcome the strangers with open arms. True and lasting friendships are formed and love blossoms as the dark cloud of war eventually clears.