British diplomat Harrington Brande (Michael Hordern) takes up his new post in Spain accompanied by his son Nicholas (Jon Whiteley). Depressed over his wife leaving him and the lack of an expected promotion, Brande tries to make the best of his situation. Nicholas sees it all as something of an adventure and soon becomes fast friends with the new gardener, Jose (Dirk Bogarde). As Nicholas begins to spend more time with Jose, his father takes offense and is concerned at the boy"s loss of affection for him, or so he perceives. Tensions build between Brande and Jose that could tear Nicholas from his Dad.