Cordelia is a shy and high-minded polio victim who lives a life of seclusion caring for her odd family in Warsaw. Her father is an academic with no life skills, her brother never leaves the villa, and her mother has dementia. Cordelia too would prefer to hide her disability from outsiders, but she also longs for a broader existence-until a chance encounter expands her world in a stunning manner. Zaremba, a wealthy businessman, is fleeing arrest-unjust arrest, he says-when he stops in his flight to save the life of Cordelia's father. Cordelia is grateful, but distrustful; Zaremba has a plan to turn the tables on the authorities and he needs Cordelia's help. Her reluctant agreement plunges her into new realms of emotion and a struggle against political corruption and abuse of power. But it is only when Zaremba disappears that Cordelia must gather all her courage and pursue the truth. Reflecting real events in Europe and topical human rights issues, this is yet primarily a love story, intended for readers who enjoy language, conversation, and human relationships. It contains no graphic sex or violence.