Hetty is shocked at the brisk way in which baby Hazel Didcott is received from her mother for reception at the orphanage, the more so when she learns Hazel's name will be changed - although she is told why it is necessary. She plans to send Hazel to Peg and Jem, who know more about her birth mother and when bad boys Vince and Judd are caught stealing to trade for a football she takes advantage of their situation to further this plan..

During a stormy night Hetty entertains her friends with stories of Joseph Twig, whose ghost allegedly haunts the orphanage tower. Next day wealthy Mr and Mrs McCartney arrive and are desperate to adopt Polly, who is the image of their late daughter. Matron is reluctant, claiming that adoption is against the rules lest the birth parents return but is swayed by the couple's generous donation. Hetty has her misgivings about her friend going to strangers but gives in to Polly's own wishes when matron agrees to give her Polly's new address - a promise she does not keep. At...

Kindly Nurse Winterson smuggles a letter from Hetty to Jem but when he arrives unexpectedly at the orphanage he has no news for Hetty regarding her true mother. Vince and Judd steal the token left with Hetty at the orphanage as a baby in the hopes of obtaining money to buy their football but kitchen maid Ida steps in to make them retrieve it, thus providing Hetty with a new friend whilst Matron is keen to be teacher Cranborne's friend when she learns that, unless his missing cousin Jasper reappears, he is an heir to the Earl of Ellerslie.