A senior diplomat traumatised by the violent death of his wife moves back to UK with his now fifteen-year-old, greatly distressed daughter to become Professor of International Relations at a new university. A high school teacher in a neighbouring town befriends the girl and remonstrates with her father at his overly protective care of her. A loving relationship develops as the teacher and the girl form a mutually strong bond of love. The book interweaves council debates full of frustration and conflict about renewal of the historic but declining small town of the action. The imminent closure of the local newspaper provides opportunity for caustic comment.
