Martina Cortes, a graduate of Madrid University, goes to London to do post-graduate work on the Westminster system of government. She is an accomplished vocalist and, to eke out her finances, gets a job with a Latin-American band, which is the resident group at the famous Dorchester Hotel. It is there that she is introduced to Alistair Campbell, a member of parliament in the House of Commons for a Scottish West Highland constituency. He agrees to assist her in her thesis and, for convenience, he invites her to share his spacious apartment in Berkeley Square. In due course, they are attracted to each other and begin a passionate affair. Alistair is besotted with his young lady of Spain but marriage is out of the question as he is already married but separated from his wife who, being a devout Catholic, refuses to grant him a divorce. However, the couple continue to happily live together until the outbreak of civil war in Spain, caused by an attempted coup by General Franco against the democratically elected socialist government. Although, Martina’s political leaning is conservative, she disapproves of the fascist uprising and enlists in the International Brigade in England to fight for democracy. In Spain, she serves as an undercover agent for the Spanish government. There follow many twists and turns in this intriguing tale, set against the backdrop of a horrific civil war.
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