Life has always been tough for the Wilson family so it is no surprise to Brenda Wilson when she has to leave school at thirteen to work in the local factory to help boost the family coffers. Still, things look up when she is able to get a job at Alfio's hairdressers. Brenda's plans to one day own her own salon goes awry, however, when Harry Hutton starts courting her. Harry is an old-fashioned man and insists that no wife of his will have to work for a living. Brenda knows she should be grateful: no more taking orders, no more hurrying to work, just the opportunity to keep house for the man she loves, but she can't help but feel a twinge of regreat that she's giving up the career she adores. Still, the arrival of her baby daughter, Adele, keeps her more than busy. But there are trying times ahead for the Hutton family, especially when Harry is called up and Brenda is left to raise their daughter by herself.