Once, Valentina's lifelong love for pigs left her vulnerable to manipulation by her best friend and housemate, Clara. But now she is ready to reveal her special knowledge, and this has a magnetizing effect on the people around her. For the past few years, Valentina's life has been stuck in a deadening routine. Every day, she rushes to get home on time from her job at a London bookshop to avoid upsetting Clara. Not even allowed to socialise, Vale's energies are taken up by Clara's needs. But a chance encounter at the bookshop leads to an exciting opportunity for Vale, whose extremely thorough knowledge of pigs impresses Marcus, an editor of new agricultural books. As Vale steps into the world of other people, Clara tightens her grip: she isn't yet ready to let go of her favourite prey.
