Grace Collins, orphaned as child, has been brought up by her severely religious aunt, Emily. Starved of love, she falls for the first man who shows her affection. When she finds she's pregnant, Emily turns her out. Grace and Barry's marriage starts well, but life in a small council house with two children is hard, and Grace feels she's somehow missed out on her youth. Then she discovers the joy of ballroom dancing. At first Barry is happy to indulge her passion, until she meets Philip, who sweeps her off her feet and promises to show her a better way of life...