The peaceful life of two aging sisters is shattered when they take in a young Polish violinist who they find injured after having been washed ashore near their coastal English home. Their town is suspicious of any visitors and things get worse when he befriends a Russian woman who is visiting the town.

14-year-old Emily is the neighborhood secret keeper. While her friends are away at summer camp, Emily befriends her new next-door neighbor, Philip. She spends part of her time practicing her violin for an important audition with a prestigious symphony and part of her time listening to the neighborhood secrets. Emily lets Philip in on her secrets and it isn't long before it leads to betrayal and hurt.