A London-born woman’s life changes drastically after her husband dies suddenly and she develops breast cancer. The novel recounts her life in France and move to East Anglia; the people she meets; her reactions to death and illness and her refusal of conventional treatment. The novel ends with her journey of discovery to New Zealand.

It is the second novel in a trilogy by Patricia Borlenghi. The first title is Zaira – a girl before her time. The third title is Dorek – deaf and unheard. Zaira, Clarisse and Dorek are all connected in surprising ways.