France, Summer 1945 The tiny French village of Marck has seen its fair share of trouble from the occupying forces, but now that the Germans have finally gone, it is time to start living again. For eighteen-year-old Madeleine, the celebration fair is a much-needed excuse for fun after the dark days of the occupation. Little does she know that a chance meeting at the fair will change her life for ever. Tom is a dashing young English soldier, far from his coal-mining village home in north east England, footloose and fancy-free in a strange and foreign land, and determined to make the most of his day's leave at the local village fair. From the battle-weary fields of northern France to the grimy industries of north east England, Northern Girl takes you on an unforgettable journey - a journey of all-consuming passion, heartbreak, family shame and, ultimately to a destination that no-one had forseen.