In 1984, two young mothers meet at a toddler group in Birmingham. As their friendship grows, they share with each other the difficulties and secrets in their lives. Joanne, a sweet, shy girl, is increasingly afraid of her husband. The lively, promising man she married has become hostile and violent and she is too ashamed to tell anyone. When Joanne's mother, Margaret, is suddenly rushed into hospital, the bewildered family find that there are things about their mother of which they had no idea.