In the opening days of World War II, paleontologist Quinton Somerville marries a young Austrian Jew, Ruth Berger, to assure her safe passage out of Vienna. Ruth is promised to her childhood sweetheart, concert pianist Heini Radek, and Somerville promises to annul the marriage as soon as they arrive in England. The annulment is not easy to obtain, however, especially when Ruth ends up in Somerville's field class as a student. Ibbotson's portrayal of the Jewish refugee situation in London is poignantly drawn. Most compelling of all is the romantic triangle made up of Ruth, her pianist, and her savior/husband/suitor.