When a large London department store took over the old family business of Kendales in the Midlands, they sent Katherine up there to reorganise one of the departments. She was happy to go, as Morringham was near her home and family—and, still more important, Malcolm Fordham, whom she loved and hoped to marry, had been sent there too. But on arrival she found that her assignment was not going to be as easy as she anticipated—and, far worse, that Malcolm had fallen in love with another girl and was about to announce his engagement to her. So when, within a week, no less a person than Paul Kendale suggested that Katherine become engaged to him, to help him out of an awkward situation, she listlessly agreed. And so paved the way for the final complication of falling in love with Paul herself.