A year ago Andrea Rosen (52) suffered twin blows; her husband left her for a younger woman, and she lost her job as a nurse due to cost-saving measures. In search of something to give her life some meaning Andrea has decided to go back to her roots and fly to the country where she spent her childhood: South Africa. The trip is a gift from her daughter Hannah. As soon as she arrives in Cape Town Andrea experiences a powerful sensation of nostalgia. A lot has changed, but the African feeling for life is still the same. She goes to the upmarket suburb of the city where her parents’ old villa is located. She rings the bell, but nobody opens the door. Hesitantly, she enters the garden - and is addressed by a black woman. This is Abeba, her childhood friend, the daughter of the family's black cook. When the two women finally recognize one another they are delighted to be reunited. Abeba urges Andrea to fetch her things from the hotel and move into the guestroom. She is a doctor and suggests that Andrea might like to accompany her on her rounds. Abeba’s last patient that day is a little boy in a children's home - and here another surprise is in store for Andrea. The director of the children's home is none other than John, the boy she was in love with when she was just 17. Abeba laughs to herself when the two of them come face to face, to their complete amazement, and for a moment it really is as though the last 35 years had slipped away. Andrea is happy - but she has no intention of seeing John as anything more than a romantic memory from the past... even though his presence now effects her more than she wants to admit. When John asks her to help a few days later because one of the foster mothers in the home suddenly has to go into hospital, it doesn't take long for Andrea to agree. She enjoys dealing with the children, and one little girl in particular - Tarisai, who appears to be dumb - quickly learns to trust Andrea. She now discovers that the only reason Tarisai refuses to speak is fear of her father: he wanted to sell the girl. As they work together John and Andrea come closer, although they are both puzzled and rather disconcerted by the feelings which develop. One day Andrea sees John put his arms around a young woman and kiss her; now she begins to back away from home. And although John is quickly able to clear up the misunderstanding - the young woman is a kind of step-daughter of his - this incident shows Andrea that she is not yet ready to trust a man again. She is still too frightened of being disappointed. She asks John to find another foster mother; she wants to go back to Germany. John is baffled by this and confronts her, but Andrea sticks to her decision. However, the day before Andrea is due to leave, Tarisai goes missing. Andrea begins to fear the worst when John tells her that the girl's father had reappeared. After discussing the matter with Abeba, but without mentioning anything to John, Andrea sets off to search for the girl. She has an inkling that she might find Tarisai in a small village in the bush. When she has not returned by the evening, John and Abeba become very worried and set off in search of her. Finally John finds Andrea in the middle of the bush, sitting around a small campfire with Tarisai. Andrea’s jeep broke down, and when she started to walk she completely lost her way. But at least she did manage to find Tarisai and get her to safety, saving her from a terrible fate.
John and Andrea are reunited. He begs her to stay, not only because of the children but also because he doesn't want to live without her any longer. And it turns out that the search for Tarisai and the accompanying fear have changed Andrea. She is now prepared to embark upon a new life in South Africa at John's side, and to take on new responsibilities.