The first chapter is set in Provence in August 1944 - shortly after the French and American troops had landed in the south of France - 15th August 1944 - and the Nazi occupiers and their fascist collaborators knew they were defeated. A noble family, in their chateau on their vineyard in Provence, are protecting, hiding a young Jewish boy - David. The family, Comte, wife, children, domestic staff are murdered by a member of Vichy's fascist militia...