In 1991, against a backdrop of economic depression and the Gulf War, Eva escapes her dark past to live with her aunt and uncle in the Lake District. Within the raw beauty of Cumbria, Eva believes she will find safety and, ultimately, her lost identity. However, her illusions are shattered as she becomes embroiled in the lives of Violet, a misanthropic old lady who lives with her ponies on the fell, and her dysfunctional family. To add to Eva's troubles, a figure from her past comes back to haunt her.