A young woman abandons her provincial life in Yorkshire to pursue an illicit affair with a married teacher in London, only to find the weight of her past inescapable. Margaret, the daughter of a miner, seeks autonomy and intimacy by relocating to Camden Town with her lover. Their relationship faces immediate pressure from the social and moral constraints of their respective backgrounds. The narrative follows the erosion of their connection as the reality of their situation clashes with their initial romantic expectations. The story is told through Margaret's perspective, documenting the shift from hope to disillusionment.

Discussion often centers on the author's precise, grounded prose style that captures the nuances of human connection. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between the protagonist's initial optimism and the eventual emotional stagnation of the relationship. Critics have noted the influence of D.H. Lawrence in the way the text handles the physical and psychological complexities of the central affair. The narrative is often praised for its refusal to provide easy resolutions, instead focusing on the inevitable friction caused by social background and personal history. This work remains a significant example of mid-century British realism that prioritizes character interiority over dramatic artifice.