Against a background of the last decade's slaughter of the country, Angela Huth's new novel evokes two farmers struggling to save their marriages, while around them their animals and livelihood are threatened with extinction. Duff Elton has returned to his childhood farm in the west country with his new wife, Lily, while next door are his childhood friends, Nell and Paddy. Immediately there is tension as Nell's old love for Duff is rekindled. Paddy, with little time for girls as he farms single-handed is smitten by Duff's wife but keeps it to himself. Then Paddy's animals are wiped out and suicidal he turns to Duff for help. The solution - that Paddy and Nell should come and live in one half of Duff's house - is set to have chaotic and life changing consequences for all four characters.