Set in 1985, Joan is a young woman living in Sussex, England whom is abandoned by her violent and abusive husband Gary who goes on the run due to his involvement in criminal activities. Forced to take a job for the first time in her life at a jewelry store, the troubled Joan begins to impulsively steal from the store and pawn the merchandise to provide a secure home for herself and her young daughter Kelly. Eventually, Joan meets Bosie, a young man who owns an antiques store in London whom she becomes acquainted with to help her find a way to fence the stolen merchandise and thus begins her rise into the life of crime.
