Violet Dimond, the Holy Terror, has delivered many of Silkhampton's children - and often THEIR children - in her capacity as handywoman. But Violet's calling is dying out, as with medicine's advances, the good old ways are no longer good enough. Grace, Violet's adopted daughter, is a symbol of change herself. In the place where she has grown up and everyone knows her, she is accepted, though most of the locals never before saw a girl with skin THAT colour. For Violet and Grace the coming war will bring more upheaval into their lives: can they endure it, or will they, like so many, be swept aside by history's tide?