By the summer of 1916, there is still no end to the war in sight and in
the Sussex village of Ashden, as elsewhere, optimism has given way to
stoicism. In the year that follows, bereavements and shortages take
their toll on village life.
While George Lilley leaves the Rectory to join the Royal Flying Corps,
each of his four sisters finds her own way of contributing to the war
effort. Gradually coming to terms with her broken engagement to Reginald
Hunney, Caroline Lilley numbly continues with her agricultural work at
home, until tragedy forces her into leaving Ashden.
Plunged into the fascinating and often frustrating world of military
intelligence, Caroline attempts to rebuild her personal life. She renews
her contact with the enigmatic Belgian liaison officer Yves Rosier, but
how can she tell is this new relationship is right? And will the war
give them the chance to find out?