Life has always been tough for the Wilson family so it's no surprise to Brenda Wilson when she has to leave school at thirteen to work. She gets a job at Alfio's hairdressers, learning to cut and style hair under the tutelage of Alfio Fichera, but her plans to own her own salon go awry when Brenda marries Harry Hutton. He insists that no wife of his will have to work. The arrival of her baby, Adele, keeps her busy, but there are trying times ahead when Harry is called up and Brenda is left to raise Adele by herself.