This is a poignant story of a young woman's escape from her past.November, 1907: Hester Shaw is hidden away in a small London flat paid for by Alex, her wealthy married lover. When he persuades her to accompany his aunt on a trip to New York on the RMS Mauretania - on its maiden voyage - she meets a young steward, Charlie Barnes, who falls in love with her. This is her chance to put her shadowy past behind her and start afresh but the decision to leave Alex will prove disastrous. He is a very powerful senior policeman and he will stop at nothing to prevent her 'escape'.