More than anything in the world, Mathié loves his successful bookstore, where he spends his days—and sometimes even his nights. He grows increasingly distant from Tess, who in turn loves him more than anything else. The story unfolds in a port city in Normandy, where the salty air of freedom has soaked into every street. Tess is waiting for Mathié’s proposal, but realizing he’s far more focused on himself, she decides to leave. However, Mathié’s image won’t let her go. To become free, Tess understands, she first needs to free Mathié himself.