Margriet grew up as a lonely child in the old town of Hull. Her adored father often travelled by sea to the Netherlands, leaving her with an unaffectionate mother and only her imagination of a little Dutch girl, Anneliese, to keep her company. When devastation ravages her tiny family. Annelise becomes the comforting friend Margriet needs for a long time to come.

A few years later, Margriet is blossoming into a kind young lady. Keen to escape her mother and strike out on her own, she forms an unlikely friendship with some of the street children who roam the town.

As Margriet acts upon her inspiration to help them, will the troubles of her past break her spirit, or will she be able to overcome them?

If you''ve liked books by Katie Flynn and Dilly Court, you''ll love Val''s heart-rending stories of triumph over adversity.