A Lancashire saga ... In 1858 Annie Hallam has at last found happiness, with her three healthy children and husband Frederick. Annie knows she deserves to sit back and enjoy her life, but the first faint clouds of worry are on the horizon. Frederick has been looking pale and ill recently, her brother Tom hasn't moved on after the death of his wife and William, her son, isn't happy at university. In spite of Frederick's gentle urging not to take the entire burden of the Gibson family on her shoulders, Annie can't help feeling concerned - and something much more dangerous is looming ...