In 1972 Wales, Eleanor Larsen-Bruun, a headstrong young student with a mind for science, finds herself caught in a smoky university kitchen with Alec Jenkins, a fellow first-year with untamed black hair, large NHS glasses, and a talent for chaos. What begins as a spontaneous attempt to salvage a burnt chicken sparks a surprising friendship – and a tender, complicated romance.

Their story unfolds across vibrant settings, from the mist-covered hills of Wales to the bustling markets of Nigeria and the timeless streets of Rome. As they confront challenges both personal and cultural, Eleanor and Alec navigate family expectations, career ambitions, and the weight of the past. With each new chapter, Eleanor must decide how much of herself to give, and what she may have to leave behind.