LAND OF OPPORTUNITY SYNOPSIS The Novel tells the story of Rose Watson, sixteen years old, in 1897. Living on a farm on the North York Moor is hard. Lonely and unloved after her mother's death, she cares for her father and older brother. Desperate to escape, she flees one night with the help of a friend whose father takes her to catch the milk train early the following day. Arriving in Hull, Rose sees a boat to Liverpool, where she buys a ticket to New York on RMS Campania. During the crossing, she makes friends with Agnes. It is a friendship that grows. While on board, they meet Thomas Blackwood, returning to America after business in England. He is a director of Macy's Store. Arriving at Ellis Island, they stay the night in the Immigration Station only for it to burn down, leaving them penniless. Thomas Blackwood comes to their rescue, taking them to his residence. From his kindness, their lives evolve—finally, Agnes searches for the theatre where her wish is to sing. In doing so, Agnes Inadvertently draws them into the cutthroat world of New York's notorious Gangs. Agnes is putting not only her life in danger but that of Rose. Rose and Agnes's friendship deepens as the years pass, but they suffer loss and tragedy. Yet, for Rose and Thomas, their lives entwine forever. Ten years have passed, and Rose and Thomas are in the Catskill Mountains, sitting on the veranda of their cabin. Thomas reads a letter from Harry Selfridge asking them to join him and his family for a holiday in England, promising to book a return passage for them on the New Ship Titanic. Rose informs Thomas they will need a cot as Rose is expecting their third child.