A desperate army deserter seeks refuge on a remote farm, initiating a complex and precarious alliance with a lonely woman during the height of the Second World War. Alice, a woman managing her farm in isolation while her husband remains a prisoner of war, encounters a soldier fleeing his post. Their relationship evolves from a practical arrangement into an intimate bond defined by secrecy and mutual need. As the threat of military police intensifies, Alice orchestrates a deception by disguising the soldier as a woman to evade detection. The narrative explores the psychological toll of this charade and the fragility of their constructed reality.

Readers and critics often note the stark, economical prose that characterizes this short novel. Discussion frequently centers on the psychological tension inherent in the central deception and how the author maintains suspense despite the limited cast of characters. Many highlight the unsettling nature of the relationship between Alice and the deserter, noting how it challenges conventional wartime narratives. The conclusion is frequently cited as a point of intense debate regarding the characters' motivations and the inevitability of their fate. The work is recognized for its ability to condense complex human dynamics into a brief, impactful narrative frame.