A summer holiday at the beach for Zoe becomes a turning point in her life. A neglected child of divorced parents, she finds that she is really a worthwhile and confident person when given the care and love of a family who take her into their hearts over the summer. She learns to love the beach and the bush, and develops an appreciation of the natural environment. She also discovers that she has a talent for cooking. Over the summer she deals with her demons, coming to a more mature understanding of her parents and her relationship with both of them. Interwoven with the story of Zoe's development are her flashbacks and dreams of the past. She meets her destiny and redeems herself by saving a wandering albatross from death.