Miranda and Ian marry in haste - when she falls pregnant - and repent at leisure: what was a joyful student romance turns into an embittered marriage, which Ian abandons after two years. Left in Edinburgh to bring up her daughter, Alexy, alone, Miranda has to face the fact that while she loves her daughter, she often doesn't like her very much. When Alexy's grandfather offers them the chance to move to Kilgarth, Miranda feels that a new start might be best for everyone. She's right - and eventually a new start also means the return of an old love.