1937. Shy but determined Tilly Truscott leaves her Hampshire home to train as a nurse at the Royal County Hospital on the Isle of Wight, where she finds an unexpected friend in vivacious Fliss Marcheson. She also catches the eye of handsome Dr Jonathan Burrows. Meanwhile, Tilly's beloved nephew Ronnie begins an apprenticeship at a local aeronautical company, but dreams of becoming a pilot. After he heroically rescues a young child from drowning, he finds himself falling for the boy's mother, Sarah, who is hiding heartbreak behind her gentle smile. 1939. War is declared. Tilly and Fliss are sent to France, and then to the harsh battlefields of North Africa. When Tilly's ambulance is caught in a deadly bombardment, and Ronnie's Spitfire crashes behind enemy lines, both must summon every ounce of courage to survive – and find their way back to the people they love.