Valora Luck has two things: a ticket for the most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind and making a life for herself in New York. Much to her surprise though, she's turned away at the gangway; apparently Chinese people aren't allowed in America.
 
But Val has to get on that ship. Her twin brother Jaamie, who has spent two long years at sea, is there, as is an influential circus owner, whom Val hopes to audition for. Thankfully, there's not much a trained acrobat like Val can't overcome when she outs her mind to it.
 
As a stowaway, Val should keep her head down and stay out of sight. But the clock is ticking and she has just seven days to find Jamie, perform for the circus owner and convince him to help get them both into America.
 
Then one night the unthinkable happens, and suddenly Val's drams of a new life are crushed under the weight of the only thing that matters: survival.