This is a story of a family, young love and betrayal, and the tragedy of war. The story revolves round 3 cousins; an English boy, a German boy and a Dutch girl, and their upbringing between the wars. The boys' affection for each other is intense, but, as they mature, their natural desire for the love of a girl enters their lives. During the summer of 1932, when the 3 cousins are on holiday at their grandparent's country house near the small town of Grave in Brabant, an incident occurs that will have tragic repercussions on their lives during the Second World War, when each are serving their country.