Gillian and Teddy are love struck teenagers living in a small village in England in the late 1950s. When Gillian's father suddenly decides to move his family to Canada, they are devastated. They promise to stay in touch but a series of mishaps intervene and Gillian's first letter from Canada is not delivered to Teddy for almost 50 years. Gillian waits for a reply from Teddy and Teddy waits for Gillian to provide him with an address to write to. Months-then years-pass and eventually they are forced to move on with their separate lives. Gillian marries, has two children, divorces and eventually becomes a children's author. Teddy expands the family ironmonger's business into a chain of DIY stores throughout northern England, struggles with alcoholism and fumbles through a few unsatisfactory relationships. Despite never receiving a reply from Teddy, Gillian continues to write to him. She keeps the precious letters-over 2000-in a trunk, telling herself she will send them as soon as she hears from him. Meantime, the very first letter she wrote remains undiscovered in the house her family lived in when they arrived in Canada. Other families and individuals occupy the charming old house and go about their lives unaware that a flimsy blue envelope hidden somewhere in the attic could change two lives forever. The parade of occupants living in the house in the ensuing years all have their own stories to share as well. There is a retired journalist who writes a love story based on his own unfulfilled romantic pursuit. After his demise, a family of five moves in but, after ten years and a slowly failing business, they are forced to return to the city. They are followed by an older couple who, following a dreadful family tragedy, believe a new start will solve their problems. But, of course, life doesn't let them off the hook that easily and they eventually lose the home and are forced to move on. Georgina, a lonely spinster, is the next occupant and she is the person who finally discovers the letter. Excited about the prospect of being involved in some marvellous romance, she decides to pose as Gillian and begins a brief correspondence with Teddy. Eventually all lies and truths, regrets and misunderstandings are exposed when Teddy announces he's coming to Canada.