Joan Jonker

Nellie McDonough and Molly Bennett have been best friends forever, and live near each other in a Liverpool backstreet. Over the years they have been busy helping their loved ones, and recently have received wonderful news that will affect both their families.

It's the end of an era for Ada Fenwick and Hetty Watson when their neighbour Eliza decides to leave her home after nigh on sixty years. The new family who move in seem quiet and respectable at first. Ada and Hetty welcome them as friends, while Ada's son Danny can't help but notice the pretty girl from Number 22. But all is not what it seems...

George and Ann Richardson have had years of worry over their younger daughter, Tess, a small, sickly child. Things seem to be improving and the family manage to afford a visit to Wales for their first holiday. But when they return to Liverpool they soon find heartache waiting for them.

Poppy Meadows, a beautiful young woman, is accidentally knocked to the ground by a young couple running out of a building. Her raincoat is ruined, but pride makes her refuse offers of help from the couple. Andrew Wilkie-Brook is unhappy with Poppy's decision - but fate suddenly intervenes.

Although Kate Spencer and Monica Parry have enough to do running their homes and raising their boisterous families, they can't ignore the cry for help from a neighbour's teenage daughter.

For over twenty years Molly Bennett and Nellie McDonough have been best friends, supporting each other and always willing to help anyone in trouble. They realise they have a job to do when they hear about a mother who hasn't seen her son for years.

Jenny and Laura Nightingale are as different as chalk and cheese, Jenny being pretty with a lively sense of humour whilst Laura is spoilt and moody. When Jenny is pursued by the local boys Laura's resentment begins to build.

When John Kershaw turns up in the life of Dot Baker, a young widow, everyone but Dot can see they were made for each other. What will it take for her to realise where her future happiness lies?

Molly and Nellie have been friends and neighbours for over twenty years and have never fallen out. When the two learn there is to be a wedding that will bring their families even closer they plan a shopping trip to Liverpool.