Sequestered within an aging palazzo Frankie Croy finds comfort in the emptiness of Venice in winter. Desperate to rediscover the success of her first novel she attempts to ignore the growing fear that the end of her career is imminent. And then Gilly appears. A young woman claiming a connection from back home one that Frankie can't quite seem to recall. But Frankie wonders just how much of what Gilly tells her is the truth. Those around Frankie are quick to dismiss her claims that someone is occupying the other half of the palazzo which has supposedly stood empty since after the war. But Frankie has caught Gilly in numerous lies has seen the lights across the way has heard the footsteps. . .