The last of the ancient ones Today, Arechologist Rosamund Gale finds in a cave in the south of France the remains of two types of people - a Neanderthal and a Cro-Magnon. It seems that an ancient man and woman embraced before death, looking into each other's eyes. Rosamund is amazed, because it has always been believed that these two species were at enmity. She wants to solve the mystery: what started the chain of events that goes back to the ancient era. Tens of thousands of years ago, a family of Neanderthals roamed the earth in anticipation of the day of big fishing, when it would be possible to meet other families. Most of all, this day is waiting for a Girl, the eldest daughter, who is destined to become a Big Mother soon. But one unsuccessful hunt radically changes the course of historical events. *** Abandoned Children's Hospital London, XVIII century. Bess Bright is pregnant by a wealthy merchant who, she knows, will not take part in the fate of the child. Bess has to give her daughter to the "hospital for newborns", from where she can pick her up, having saved enough money. In memory of the girl, there is only a semblance of a medallion, a half of a heart made of whalebone. A few years later, Bess wants her daughter back. But this path turns out to be thorny. Bess's road through the foggy streets of London will pass through the alleys where street torchbearers work, past the houses of rich people hiding their madness, and the abode of doctors. This is a story about a legendary city, about acceptance and about maternal feelings - the most selfless on earth.