Prue's heart beat hard - she had heard of the low seams of the mines of northwest Durham and she had always had a fear of being enclosed. She picked up her bag and followed them to the cage which carried the miners below ground, praying that the man did not die, that she need not produce some miracle... This is the story of Prue Stanhope, a young woman doctor, who escapes a loveless marriage to journey far from home and join a surgery in Tow Law, County Durham. There are long hours and limited resources, but gaining the townspeople's trust will be her greatest challenge of all.