The daughter of an Epping publican, spirited Beryl grew up without any thought of going into service. After working in a village salon, she formed a passionate desire to work her way to the very top in hairdressing. An apprenticeship with society coiffeure Monsieur Gaston will cost her 40 guineas - money she simply does not have. So, feisty Beryl decides to take her fate in her own hands and seize her own destiny. Harbouring a tragic secret, Beryl arrives at Eaton Place to work as a maid purely because she can live at someone else’s expense whilst she saves the requisite sum. Her ambition shines through - she makes no secret of her desire to better herself and makes it clear to the staff that she is here as a means to an end. However, life as a housemaid comes as a rude awakening to Beryl. She is genuinely shocked by the sheer graft of it - and by the conditions in which the staff must live. She is determined to make a change – and the repercussions shake the very foundations of what being a servant means in 165 Eaton Place.