The story begins in 1951 with the prologue. Ten years later it is taken up again when Belle, the chief character returns to the island of Riarch for a holiday. The story is weaved round the seven members of the McCallum family, with the odd few characters from the village becoming involved. For example there is Friedrick Braun, a Luftwaffe Pilot a former POW comes to the island after the war looking for work. Belle had always felt different from the rest of the family and her Mum had constantly said that 'she was a throwback to a previous generation'. Belle overhears her parents quarreling and to her horror she finds out that her Dad is not her biological Father, also that her Dad was having an affair. There is a strong love but also anger and heartache as Belle comes to terms with reality and truth