Fran longs to be a star of stage and screen, but she's too poor to afford elocution and dance lessons. When she lands the leading role of Miss Matty in a school production of Cranford, she's determined to make a splash. Far away, in Europe, World War II rages on, but Fran isn't worried, because her boyfriend is stationed in Canada. Her life seems to be heading in the right direction, finally-until she begins to unravel a web of lies and deception. Much as she wants to cling to familiar fantasies, Fran may have no choice but to face the truth.