Nicolas parent's escape from persecution in Russia. Moving to England at the end of the 19th century, they live in the north of England and have a son, Nicolas. They keep themselves very much to themselves and become prosperous.

Nicolas attends the local village school, as does Mary-Alice. Mary-Alice is one of a large family, the daughter of a local miner. Ultimately Mary-Alice, the Catholic, and Nicolas, the Jew, fall in love in their teens and Mary-Alice becomes pregnant.

Nicolas is banished by his mother to France to live with an uncle, which is where he spends the rest of his life. Mary-Alice lives with her aunt and uncle until she meets up with Harold and marries him. He becomes as a father to June, Nicolas and Mary-Alice's daughter and Nicolas is never spoken of again.

They finally settle in Leicester where they live for the rest of their lives, dying during the 1980s