Sixpence in Her Shoe — Mary Howard (1)

Jessica Price's life in working class Leeds in the 1920s is anything but easy. With poverty and hardship a daily struggle for her family and her friends, Jess's journey through life looks set to be arduous and challenging, but the resilient young lady refuses to cower from the obstacles standing in her way and she is adamant that she will do her utmost for her family and her friends. Despite her mother's disapproval, Jess helps her father out in the family's boot and shoe repair business â€" even though she is well aware that her other parent would much rather she put all her time and energy into other directions.

When the opportunity comes for Jess to take up a post working as a housekeeper to the local priest, she accepts, however, Jessica soon realizes that she is not exactly cut out for this position. After a brief spell working for the priest, Jess decides to seek pastures new and she begins working in the office of her uncle's shoe business. Unlike her previous job, Jess is absolutely elated and she settles into her new role like a duck to the water â€" especially as this job puts her into close proximity with her adopted cousin Wilf, with whom she is hopelessly infatuated.

Jess is well aware that her mother does not approve of Wilf. An atheist who spends all of his time sketching and drawing, Jess knows that she should give Wilf a wide berth and keep her feelings for him buried, but that proves to be easier said than done. Falling in love with him is inevitable, however, Wilf dreams of becoming a successful artist and he will not let anybody or anything stand in the way of his success â€" not even his love for Jess!

Jess is not about to stand in the way of Wilf's career, but when her beloved goddaughter Leila needs rescuing from an orphanage, she soon realizes that she's got a bigger challenge on her hands. Will Jess ever manage to find the answers to all of her prayers? Or is she doomed to spend the rest of her life haunted by pain, sorrow and regret?