Rob Carswell has recently relocated to the Wiltshire village of Essington StMary, although the reality is proving to be less peaceful than he had expected.For one thing, there's a nuisance of a dog to deal with but then he discoversthe plight of neighbour Ilsa. Illness has taken its toll and she is also dealingwith the machinations of a bullying builder intent on destroying the character ofthe street and the surrounding valley. Amy Hatherall is feeling a little adrift following the death of her mother, but afinal, handwritten letter leads her in an unexpected direction to a great-auntshe never knew she had in Wiltshire.As the line of old haw thorn trees begin to blossom, they watch over asromance and new beginnings begin to bloom for the residents of the close.