Emma Thorpe was born in the Cotswolds and raised by her grandparents. She believed she was an orphan... but her mother's old locket, a faded memory, and a mysterious bank account lead Emma to the colourful, exotic world of Singapore in search of answers to her past. She loses her heart to a charming British Army captain, James Barrington, and they search together... but as their love deepens, James must report for duty on the Malay/Thai border. As Emma prepares to return home, she is confronted with troubling rumours about him. Confused and heartbroken, she departs, her life in tatters. A stunned and disbelieving James, meanwhile, receives an unexpected visit from the military police. Arrested and returned to Singapore to face court martial, his situation assumes nightmare proportions. His friends rally in support, but how can he prove his innocence and convince Emma to return to him?