1987,loveintimeofwar.AbusdriverGeorgeLennoxmeetsCarla,aNicaraguanexilelivingaprecarious,profoundlysadlifeinGlasgow.Herbackisscarred,herboyfriendmissing,herfamilydispersed;she’ssuicidal.GeorgetakeshertoNicaraguatofindoutwhathashappenedtothemandtohelpherfaceherpast.Oncehome,Carla’snightmarishmemoriestakeover,andCarlaandGeorgearethrownintothethickoftheUSwaragainsttheSandinistas.AmysterydevelopsoverwhereCarla’sboyfriendis,andthekeytohiswhereaboutsmaybeCarla’sfriendBradley,abitterAmericanaidworker.Shefindsherfamily,theContrasattack,andsheandtheScotfacetheirchoices.