Marianne is the only child of a peppery army colonel and his vain wife. She has fallen in love with the gorgeous and smart Simon who was born to be successful. But fate intervenes. Simon's plans are blown off course, and Marianne is forced to bury her dreams of a future together. Supported by her courageous Scottish friend, Petronella, she finds the life she never stops craving. But after all this time, Simon has been nursing a secret which will change everything, forever.