Maggie Adair, the passionate, devoted English teacher at Downey House, is about to ride off into the sunset with her new love when tragedy strikes.

Pulled from their happy-ever-after, she and David must put their budding romance aside until they return for a new term, unsure where they now stand. A fresh new year at Downey House comes with more drama from the students - with Fliss and Alice at odds after a summer apart, and Simone trying to nurture her new relationship while dealing with exam stresses, the new term is shaping up to be a challenge for all.