Jenny is a newly qualified vet who having been a bit of a party girl at Cambridge has not achieved the academic results her professor would have wished. He is reluctant to pass her on her resit results. Jenny is offered a way into the profession by agreeing to go to work in Kenya, where they are desperate for field veterinarians. Jenny has always loved adventures and so going to Africa really appeals to her. She finds herself totally on her own in Mombasa on Christmas Eve. Men, particularly older men, find her very attractive. On the whole they go out of their way to help her. However, she finds herself in a very challenging situation and has no one available to guide her.

Her courage does not desert her and she copes admirably. She meets a pilot called Matt and they become very close friends, but sadly their relationship is going to be very short. Jenny is left alone and has to rely on her fortitude to get her out of a very dark place.