A view of the orchard

Munich, Germany 1935

As a young Jewish man, Ulrich Milanski has seen his whole life fall apart within a few years: his family's shop destroyed, his father and brother arrested. Now Ulrich's only obsession is surviving and finding a way to be reunited with them. Seeking refuge in France, he has assumed a false identity with the help of a French family, the Reginas.
In this endless struggle for meaning Ulrich finds an ally and a best friend, Yves Regina, the son of the family.
Yves is sheltered and idealistic and dreams of leaving the countryside, until the arrival of Ulrich disrupts his quiet life.
What neither of them could have expected is a love that bursts between them, burning bright against German oppression.
With the Second World War coming the two lovers find themselves changed to the very core of their being.

*

Yves leaned closer, pupils black. He crushed Ulrich in his arms, holding him almost hard enough to break him. Caught by surprise, Ulrich cuddled against him and let go of everything else.
"Thank you"murmured Yves.