It is 1912 and an unexpected visitor arrives from Berlin at the Manchester home of his uncle, Jacob Bergman. His name is Adolphus and his mysterious nocturnal absences, together with his almost fanatical loyalty to his Kaiser arouses the suspicions of his British cousin, Joseph. The daughter of the house, Rachel, however, is more than a little impressed with the charming young German. This is the story of the two branches of the Bergman family as the world descends into a war with terrifying consequences for the brave men and their loved ones, on either side of the conflict.