Having been raped and savagely beaten in a hotel room, Petra Larson later becomes directly involved in a revenge fuelled attack on the men who carried it out. Afterwards, following the break up of a long term relationship, she escapes to the US city of Boston to recover. While in Boston, she has been reminded, almost daily, of her own attack and she returns to the UK with a terrible secret - one she is desperate to keep to herself.On returning, she has bridges to mend with her closest friends, as well as a decision to make about her own future. Having decided to return to her role as a high class dominatrix. she soon receives a call from a potential client, but not one she expected - a woman has called her and that shock is compounded when Petra realises she knows her.Once Petra understands why the woman has called her, they arrange a meeting which takes place over the course of a weekend in her luxury Bristol apartment. Only then does Petra Larson realise how much they have in common, as she listens to a harrowing account of childhood abuse which has left the woman emotionally scarred, and riddled with guilt. Now she seeks Petra's help when atonement seems the only path to her salvation.When it is clear just how much they have in common, the two women form a brief but emotionally charged relationship which is cruelly torn asunder by religious division and hatred.