Vivien last saw her mother when she was nine years old. When Hilda suddenly reappears after eight years she stirs up painful memories. Now at last Vivien has the opportunity to find out her father's identity — but Hilda refuses to reveal his name and so Vivien decides to track him down with the help of her boyfriend Nick. Determination becomes obsession and Nick comes to resent Vivien's quest. When she travels to America in search of the truth, will she lose the love of her life?