Peace within war. An adult voice narrates a story of childhood during World War II when he lived with his mother, brother, and sister on an estate in Australia’s Hunter Valley, his father away fighting, and two Italian prisoners of war staying with them, in effect being his papa. They are joined by Jewish refugees from Berlin, a mother and daughter. There’s heat between the German daughter, Rachel, and Joseph, one of the Italians, and there’s an attraction between Dorothy, the head of the family, and Alfredo, the other Italian. A carriage accident, a tick, the local martinet, Madame Gutman’s pride, and the change that comes with peace threaten to bring tragedy. Plus, father may return.