The year is 1927, and the setting is South Solitary Island - a remote lighthouse island which is cold, rainy, and directly in the path of the Roraing Forties. Meredith Applieton arrives with her uncle, George Wadsworth, the replacement Head Keeper of the lighthouse. She is a "chin up!" sort of a girl, and she needs to be in these circumstances. Meredith tries to make the best of a bad situation by attemption to make friends with the few occupants of the island. However, with a little bit of time, Meredith finds much more than friendship.