In this compelling novel, the vulgarly rich Gilmertons and the ancient but impoverished Henryssons are families on the verge of extinction while existing, reasonably comfortably, in coastal South West Scotland, guarding their secrets and presenting a contented face to the world. When the Troubadour family becomes involved this somewhat smug and safe community is shattered.

Before Ben Troubadour and Tilda Gilmerton even met his chaotic sister Dora made the pragmatic decision that the dense and lanky Henrysson heir should father the child she was planning to give to her own mother as a present. Besotted Hugh Henrysson obliged and this is the story of the resulting child.

Miracle known as Mira survives an unconventional upbringing dogged by tragedy and has to rely on her own determination to get what she really needs, which is to be with the people she loves and trusts, however unsuitable.

In Part Two adult Mira returns to Scotland to dispose of property and discovers there is so much more to uncover about the people and the place where something terrifying, that she is unable to remember, happened to her.