In January 1937, Elizabeth, a young English girl decides to remain in Spain when the rest of her family are evacuated to Gibraltar. Alone in the devastated city of Malaga she makes friends with two young men, Juan, and idealistic Spaniard and Alex, a pragmatic Englishman. Together they make their escape from the war-torn city along the coast of Almeria. Amongst the death and carnage she falls in love with Juan, only to lose him shortly afterwards when he is badly wounded. Believing he is dead she returns to England with Alex, whom she later marries. Seventy years later Kate, Elizabeth's granddaughter, is left a legacy following the death of her grandfather, a legacy that opens a Pandora's box of secrets and lies which Kate can only unravel by returning to Spain.