<div><p>It is 1942, and the Second World War has been going on for three wearying years. Although outside the bombing area of German planes, the quiet countryside of County Down is far from peaceful. The textile mills around Banbridge are running on 24 hour shifts and Alex Hamilton is struggling to keep over-worked machinery going with no prospect of getting replacements and pressure rising all the time for fabric, uniforms, and woven equipment, all so desperately needed. Alex's wife Emily has struggles too, rationing and shortages of both food and fuel make it hard to provide food and comfort not only for their own son and daughters, but for the many young American soldiers stationed nearby, far from home and suffering loneliness. Throughout the most desperate of times there is still a welcome for friends and strangers and there are still moments of unexpected happiness at even the darkest of times.</p></div>