Adapted from the award-winning 2004 novel, this mini-series tells the story of Hortense, an ambitious Jamaican woman thrust into 1940s post-war London. Unfortunately Hortense and her husband, Gilbert are met with poverty and prejudice, until they meet Queenie Bligh who offers them friendship. Queenies life has been tragic and a fleeting moment with the exotic Jamaican, Michael, offers her the excitement she craves. As they come together, from different sides of the world, crushed by their own disappointment, they find that love is stronger than they could ever know, and that their dreams lie with each other.