A historical novel set mainly in the Aberystwyth area, with twin themes of local industry and romance.
Young lead miner Dafydd is forced to flee his family after being targeted in a violent confrontation. He runs to the port of Aberystwyth, where he is helped by local Trefechan girl, Gwen. He slowly begins to rebuild his life, falling for Gwen in the process.
Dafydd works his way up from navvy on a nearby quarry railway to become an apprentice in England. In doing so, he is parted from Gwen, but she promises to wait for him. When he finally returns, to work on Aberystwyth's new Rheidol Railway, can he progress as a railwayman, track down the family he's lost and – most importantly – find Gwen?