Would you risk exposure, to speak up for those who have no voice? In 2016, the village of Channington Heights learns that some Syrian refugees will shortly be housed in the community. At about the same time, the local free magazine publishes the first of a series of articles about locals who have foreign ancestors. This prompts heated discussion of views on immigration. Sixty-year-old Gertie has kept herself to herself since moving to the village seven years ago, although her kindly nature has drawn her to volunteer for various local good causes alongside Pat, the vicar's wife. She is terrified that she will be featured in an article, exposing the past she needs to hide. Her instinct is to fade into the background, and yet she can't help standing up for the refugees when the most spiteful of the local gossips are particularly venomous about them.