Andrew and Jo Penhallow settle into their dream home, Jacob's Cottage, a remote dwelling near the Cornish coast. They set about making it habitable after its time of neglect under the ownership of the late Charlie Wilks. Their joy during the early days in the cottage is marred by the knowledge that Andrew must soon leave to return to work in London and that their time together is short. Jo is left alone with their two year old son Jamie. The days of loneliness awaiting Andrew's return at weekends begin to take their toll on Jo. Is it her own state of mind, or does the cottage hold its own secrets? Who is the child so often seen about the house? Would it better if Jo never knew?