Prejudice and Pride

The Forest of Dean in the early 20th century is a place of great beauty, but also of great harshness and poverty. Kezzie and Tess know both aspects, particularly Kezzie whose father is arrested for sheep-stealing, her family being thrown out to face a hostile world. Tess in the meantime follows the tradition of the Forest girls and goes into service in Bristol. Kezzie is "discovered" by a theatrical impresario and goes on to become a world-famous singer; Tess meets and marries the man of her dreams raises a family and endures long years of hard work lightened by happy family life. Kezzie is successful, but love has always turned to ashes and she has no-one to love and be loved in return. Tess, despite the death of her husband, has a supportive and loving family. But all through their lives, each looks back with longing to their early friendship and the happy days as children in the Forest. It is only pride, and the prejudice of pride, that stops them from seeking one another- until the longing for their childhood home leads each to buy a house in the Forest.