At the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war of 1899-1902, Anna goes to South Africa as a nurse in the British Army Nursing Reserve. The shock of dealing with the harsh realities of war is balanced by the joys of the close personal relationships she develops in the first few months. But after a rash decision to help one of her new friends, and through an unexpected and shocking change in circumstances, she finds herself working against her will with the enemy. A subsequent case of mistaken identity leads to another difficult and dangerous situation from which she emerges damaged, yet richer. Throughout her experiences, Anna faces internal and external conflicts which ultimately lead to a future somewhat different to that she had imagined when she boarded the RMS Dunnottar headed for Cape Town in December, 1899.