She finds it in ample amount at Long Hempdon, the country estate of rich industrialist Herbert Akroyd, with its lifestyle of aristocratic formality, luxury and servants: far removed from her east-end upbringing and cheerfully chaotic flat-share. Instead, Emma faces the irascible Mr Akroyd and his haughty family, all of whom treat her with the utmost contempt -- particularly Gavin, the effortlessly superior eldest son. Soon however, Emma recognises that he alone genuinely cares for ten-year-old Arabella, and their unexpected rapport both flatters and alarms her, since he is quite plainly out of her league.
Then disaster strikes as both she and Arabella are violently snatched by kidnappers, intent on holding Akroyd's daughter for ransom. Imprisoned and terrified, Emma knows they'll be killed if the money isn't forthcoming -- unless Gavin can get to them first...
