The book takes place in 1972 and begins with Jilly getting a surprise visit from an old friend-her only friend-from her runaway days. Interspersed with the main story that leads off from that meeting are flaskbacks to pivotal moments in her life: time spent in the Home for Wayword Girls, her life on the street, meeting and working with the Grasso Street Angel, the first time she meets various familiar face (Geordie, Sophie, etc.) You'll find out how the messed-up street kid she was grew a social conscience, and became the cheerful character we know from later stories.