Working as a waitress in a drinking club in the terrible Great War is where Poppy first hears ragtime. And there too she falls in love - tragically and irrevocably - with the American Scott Warrender.
Alone with her talent Poppy launches the first all-female band. Bright Young Things flock, and so does Roddy Ffitch: charming, rich and madly in love with Poppy. But can he, with his fast cars and endless parties, succeed in making Poppy forget Scott?