"Fresh trouble visits the farm, and old worries look set to return - ""1951." Meg and Steven Caraford count their blessings: their farm is prospering, they have a baby boy, and Steven's troublesome half-brother, Fred, has moved to Canada. Then Steven's mother takes in Ruth, a young female lodger with a small daughter. Steven and Meg are shocked to learn that Avril is Fred's illegitimate daughter, born as a result of rape. The family helps Ruth to recover from her traumatic past, but there will be obstacles to overcome - not least the frightening prospect of Fred's return.