Ella Talbach (Ursela Monn) has a well-ordered middle-class life at the side of her husband Manfred (Wolfgang Winkler), who hopes that he will soon be re-elected to the position of mayor. On the occasion of her 60th birthday her granddaughter Lili (Aline & Lea Kolditz) arranges a surprise visit from the Viennese musician Franz (Peter Bongartz); Lili knows that 40 years ago he and Ella recorded a tango together... but she has no idea that Franz was actually the love of Ella’s  life. She left him all those years ago, with a heavy heart, because she was disappointed by a breach of confidence. Now all the guests at her birthday party urge Ella and Franz to dance together again -- and a very touching from re-candles all her emotions. They meet again a few days later when Franz performed at a concert, and they quickly begin to feel very close once more. But then, when Ella and Lili go swimming together, her beloved granddaughter has an accident which leaves her in a coma, and Ella blames herself. She remains at Lili’s bedside in hospital day and night, and finally Lili comes round. Overcome with gratitude, Ella resolves to devote herself entirely to her family and to forget all about Franz. But Manfred can sense that his wife is nevertheless slowly slipping away from him. He tries everything to avoid losing her, and Ella comes to realise that she has to make a decision…