Hilly and her younger brother Gregory are shipped to Australia at the end of 1952 as part of the British child migrant scheme. They have no clear idea of where Australia is but they believe that they are going to good foster homes, with lots of sunshine and fruit that they can pick off trees. However both of them end up in strictly run orphanages.
Hilly is thrilled by the coronation of the young Elizabeth II and writes to her about the cruelty in the orphanage and to seek her help in finding her brother. Later, she discovers stacks of private mail from England addressed to the orphans and concludes that Mother Joseph has confiscated the Queen’s answer to her letter. When the Royal Tour of Australia is announced Hilly writes again, suggesting a secret sign that the Queen can give. The Queen appears to give the suggested signal and Hilly concocts a daring plan to meet her.
