February, 1921. When influenza claims the life of their mother, Daisy Cooper and her younger sister Mary are suddenly all alone in the world. Daisy works long hours to keep a roof over their heads, but she worries she's neglecting Mary. Mary is thrilled when the moving pictures come to Rotherhithe, and she loves watching the silver screen flicker into life. But, for Daisy, the magic really begins when the glamorous dancing girls perform, and she wishes she could be one of them.

It's 1943. When Babs Scott loses her beloved parents in an air raid, she is left homeless and alone. The Land Army offers her a new life away from the bombed streets of Rotherhithe and, despite the backbreaking toil, Babs loves the fresh, clean air and green fields of Sussex. Soon the farm begins to feel like home and, with the support of fellow Land Girl Lydi Wells, Babs starts to heal. Then two Italian prisoners of war are sent to the farm to work and Babs's safe world collapses again.

Identical twins Lily and Rose Flowers aren't from a rich family, but they lead a comfortable life in 1920s Rotherhithe with their mum and dad. The twins are the apple of their parents' eye, and each other's best friend - they always know what the other is thinking. Feisty Rose has a more rebellious nature than her sister, but it's never before interfered with their closeness. However, Rose's secret dissatisfaction with her humdrum lifestyle reaches a head when she meets the rich and handsome Rodger.

Young Pam King can't believe her ears when her Gran, Ivy, forbids her to see Robbie Bennetti. Pam and her mum live with Ivy in Rotherhithe, and Pam's always got on well with her gran. But she won't say why she's so against Robbie, except to announce that the Bennettis are a bad lot. But anyone can see that Robbie's a lovely lad - and not half as dangerous as cheeky Lu Cappa, who's always giving Pam the eye. When her best friend Jill falls in love, loneliness makes Pam accept a date with Lu.

For sixteen-year-old Mary Harris, growing up in Rotherhithe in 1934 has its ups and downs. She has a good job in a biscuit factory and a best friend, Liz, who's fun to be with, but she's worried about her younger brother Eddie. Eddie is a difficult child whose bad behaviour affects the whole family. Although Mary's stepfather Ted denies losing his temper with the boy, Mary's seen the bruises on Eddie's small body.

As the Second World War enters its final year, Ruth Bentley feels life has dealt her more than her fair share of trials and tribulations. For the second time she has lost her home in a bomb attack on Rotherhithe, and with her husband away fighting, her two daughters evacuated to Wales, and her mother killed and father seriously injured in the attack, Ruth is left to face the devastation alone. But Ruth finds friendship with Lucy, and both women dream of the day when they’ll be reunited with their loved ones.

Before World War II has even been officially declared, ten-year-old Hazel Morgan and her eight-year-old brother Peter are evacuated, leaving London for the safety of the Sussex countryside. With her children gone and her husband John in the army, Rene Morgan misses her family terribly. When she learns that John has become a prisoner of war, she has to take on the highly dangerous job of firewatcher. Meanwhile, Hazel and Peter are desperate to go back home. Returning to the city, they are overjoyed to be reunited with their mother and Gran. But their father is still far away....

It's1942, and Dolly dreams of distant lands. As the war rages on, excitement comes in the form of American GIs posted in London. Although Dolly is engaged to Tony, she can't help but fall in love with Joe, a dashing American.

In 1950, after her marriage went badly wrong, Dolly Taylor returned to Rotherhithe from America. She is now helping her best friend, Penny, to walk again after she contracted polio. Not able to have children of her own, Dolly envies Penny for having a beautiful baby daughter, Gail. Penny's husband, Reg, has set up his own business as a builder and offers Dolly a job in the office. Tony, who was engaged to Dolly before the war, also works for Reg and is still pursuing his childhood sweetheart.

Eileen Wells' daughters mean the world to her, and her husband Reg is just as proud of his beautiful, confident girls. Twenty-two-year-old Ann has secured a position as a secretary, eighteen-year-old Lucy works in the same office as Ann, and sixteen-year-old Shirley enjoys her job at Woolworths. For three sisters, the family home in Rotherhithe is a place of stability and love. But when war is announced, Eileen knows everything is about to change...

When a naive encounter at a Coronation party leaves 16-year-old Janet Slater pregnant there's no question in her scandalised parents' mind of her keeping the baby. Bundled off to a home for unmarried mothers in South London, Janet is about to face the hardest moment of her sheltered life alone. Forced to give her tiny daughter up for adoption, Janet promises her that one day, come what may, she'll find her.

When Elsie and Bert Jones move with their children, Ann and Arthur, to Candle Lane, a modest street in Battersea, they miss their comfortable house in Wimbledon. But the move is the right thing to do, as it will enable Bert to finance his new removal business. They are a warmhearted family, and Elsie soon makes friends with her less fortunate neighbour, Ruth, and her daughter, Sally. But before long Elsie realises that all is not well in the house next door.... 

1919, London's East End. Robert Hunter is eagerly awaiting the return of his father from the war. Next door, Ruth Cooper's family are also preparing to welcome her dad, whose ship was lost at Jutland. After five years of separation and anxiety – and, for Bob, the worry of caring for his frail mother – emotions are running high for both young people.

Imogen, Rita and Debby all missed the original evacuation and now the authorities are finding it difficult to place them. When Auntie and her niece, Jill, who run the Canary and Linnet Public House, offer to take them in, the billeting officer is greatly relieved. The countryside is heaven to the three little townies, especially after they meet Woody and Josh. They find that by climbing to the top of a tree they are able to watch the comings and goings of the young fighter pilots.

Liverpool, 1901. The Tempest family is all but destitute, barely able to put food on the table. When Florrie falls ill with pneumonia and Arthur is imprisoned after a drunken fight, their 13-year-old daughter, Lizzie, finds herself parentless, desperate and alone. Despite her young age, Lizzie has spirit and determination, and she knows that she must find work to keep herself off the streets. In a stroke of luck, she gets a job in the match factory, and foreman George Rutherford takes her under his wing.