It is 1942 and, although outside the bombing area of German planes, the quiet countryside of County Down is far from peaceful. The textile mills around Banbridge are running on twenty-four hour shifts and Alex Hamilton is struggling to keep overworked machinery going while pressure is rising for fabric, uniforms and woven equipment. At the same time, his wife, Emily, struggles with shortages of both food and fuel, to provide not only for their own family, but for the many young and lonely American soldiers stationed nearby. Bad news comes daily, but throughout the most desperate of times there is still a welcome for friends and strangers, and moments of unexpected happiness at even the darkest of times.
