It is set in occupied France during the Second World War and its plot centres on the Frenchwoman Annette being raped by a German soldier Hans.

In occupied France during the Second World War, two German soldiers stationed at Soissons ask the way at a nearby farm; they get drunk on the farmer's wine and one of them, Hans, rapes Annette, the farmer's daughter.

Later Hans, enjoying his life in the area, visits the farm to show there is no ill-feeling.

He continues to visit whenever he can and, bringing much-needed food, gets on friendly terms with the farmer and his wife.

The story was adapted for television in 1970 by James Saunders, starring Michael Pennington as Hans, Caroline Mortimer as Annette and Jack Woolgar and Sheila Burrell as Monsieur and Madame Perrier.