When Elisabeth Quemener dies she leaves a mysterious bequest - a small parcel with the instructions that it must only be opened by Astrid Oake. The trouble is no one knows who Astrid Oake is. . . Elisabeth's family turn to Touissants detective agency for help but when Mila Shepherd and Carter Jackson try to track Astrid down their frustration soon mounts. Their only clue is a photo of two young women holding the hands of a tiny child. The women are smiling but Mila is haunted by the sadness in their eyes. Is this Astrid and Elisabeth and if so who is the child? And why are there signs everywhere in Elisabeth's home that the old woman was frightened despite her living a quiet life with no known enemies? As Elisabeth and Astrid's story slowly unfolds Mila feels the walls of her home The Sea House closing in. And as the secrets finally begin to reveal themselves she is ever more determined to carry out Elisabeth's final wishes. Because what is inside that unprepossessing parcel might just save a life. . .