He walked further and under the trees saying, 'I don't mean to intrude but is anyone there?' By then his heart was pounding. A little further. Then suddenly shock and horror at what the lamp sadly revealed - a nude, bloodied, young woman.
What happened at a UK university drives the lives and careers of some of the graduate friends. Rape, fears, nightmares, psychological dispeaces, disturbed memory, are the key to why one innocent suffers unconsummated marriage.
Other threats are family estates around the West Indies, Martinique, and holdings around UK. Deceit and trickery abound.
Our innocent of lost passion and inheritance returns broken, to work in cold wintry London. A female friend in Australia invites her to escape awhile 'down-under' and heal. Later, on the plane to Sydney, prophecies are made by a fellow passenger which eventually come true, after taking in the Australian countryside and character.
There is nudity at a natural swimming hole, with warm water coming up from the Australian Great Artesian Basin-certainly no innocent romp. Another 'escape' is to a campfire nearby.
Antique fairs come into the picture later, where British bidders cross paths with the now original two graduates met up in Australia. Other reunions eventuate but certain characters get their 'come-uppance'.
Bonds are forged between Aussies and Brits, to attend a wedding in Cambridge, but not before skeletons of the past are unearthed there, and a sad funeral takes place. The family tree points to surprising twists and turns, as many as in Martinique.
It took this psychological thriller to unravel it all, with Australia sandwiched in between, and it is based on truth.