A mysterious letter shatters the fragile peace of a post-war marriage, forcing a wife to confront her husband's hidden past and a child she never expected. Dottie's life with Reg, a man deeply scarred by his World War II experiences, is already strained by his post-demobilization cruelty. When a letter reveals Reg is the father of an orphaned eight-year-old girl, Patsy, Dottie's apprehension grows, especially as they struggle with their own infertility. Patsy's arrival, however, exposes Reg's deceptions, revealing a truth far more complex than Dottie imagined, and she must uncover it before Reg's actions lead to irreversible consequences.

The narrative centers on Dottie's efforts to understand her husband's post-war trauma and the secrets he harbors. The arrival of Patsy serves as a pivotal plot device, forcing the characters to confront uncomfortable truths about Reg's past and the realities of their present situation. The story appears to explore themes of marital strain, the lasting effects of war, and the challenges of unexpected family responsibilities. The pacing likely builds as Dottie seeks to uncover the full extent of Reg's deceptions before further damage is done.