As her mother lies dying, 12-year-old Lucy Fallow promises to look after her younger siblings and keep house for her father and two older brothers. Over the following years the Depression tightens its grip. Times are hard, and Lucy's situation is made more difficult by the ominous presence of Tom Crawford, who lives next door, the eldest son of her mother's lifelong friend. Lucy's growing friendship with Tom's younger brother Jacob, only fuels Tom's obsession with her. He persuades Lucy's father and brothers to work for him on the wrong side of the law as part of his plan to force Lucy to marry him. Tom sees Lucy and Jacob dancing together one night, and a chain of heartbreaking events are set in motion. Torn apart from the boy she loves, Lucy wonders if she and Jacob will ever dance in the moonlight again . . .