While living in Japan, Lucy befriends Teiji, who works in a noodle shop by day and takes photographs at night, after a chance encounter in the street which leads to casual sex. Lucy quickly develops strong feelings for the enigmatic stranger. Separately, American expatriate Bob introduces Lucy to fellow British expatriate Lily, who also hails from East Yorkshire and is fleeing an abusive relationship back home. Lily is the only one of Lucy's friends to meet Teiji, whom she ordinarily tries to keep to herself.
