Alain Lau, a Chinese man with French background, has escaped life in a small third world country for a more exciting one in England. As he struggles to make a success of his life in his new country, it soon becomes apparent that his skin colour is proving a bigger barrier to social integration - even his name is anglicised by people who can't be bothered to learn how to say it properly. What remains a mystery to him is why his long-term landlady, who hates foreigners, has lured him to her house and even gives him free English lessons.Ever since Alain landed in England, his constant fear is being unmasked as a fraud by the English family who invited him here. Anita, his girlfriend, encourages him to confess all to her and promises to keep his secret safe. One night, in a rage of jealousy, she betrays him, with dire consequences for both.