A romantic wartime novel encompassing both love and tragedy.

As Walter Berrisford paints beautiful Katherine Garland, she asks him to put a ladybird on her finger without his knowing why. He is appalled when he discovers that Katherine is a Nazi.

The outbreak of war means that everyone must contribute to the war effort: her sister Caro and her friend Robyn join the FANYs, while former maids, Betty and Trixie, work in a factory.

War brings frantic romance to all, including their flatmate Edwina O'Brien, but it is Betty, transferred to decode at Bletchley Park who discovers the truth about the Ladybird...