England is still in the grip of a war against an enemy which is holding its ground and food shortages are beginning to bite. Carrie's relief that David found his way back to her after being injured almost melts her, but he brings with him a problem she cannot solve. His mind is broken, terrorised by nightmares and memories of the men he feels he should have protected, but instead led to their deaths. Carrie loves David with all her heart, and because of her love for him she know she must make a decision for which she doubts he'll ever forgive her.

Her promise to give Jewish Belgian refugees assistance when they are forced from their homeland after the invasion is not completely altruistic. Arnold Bateman has returned from Secunderabad and looking to feather his nest. They are still married and Carrie knows he will insist on owning everything she had built up and acquired, including 99 Nightingale Lane. The law is seemingly on his side, and thoughts of divorce are impossible. She hopes the men she takes care of will dissuade Arnold from forcing his way into her home, but when Silver Town undergoes a complete rebuilding after an explosion and the men take up offers of work, she is left alone when he confronts her. Carrie has knowledge of Arnold's alternative life, as do her friends, Dorothy and Marcus Tremaine, but will it be enough to prevent him from taking everything she holds dear and forcing her back into a life of poverty?